Roll of Honor
Robert William Kelsay
Incident
Senior Patrol Inspector Robert Kelsay was shot and killed in Texas when he encountered several smugglers along the banks of the Rio Grande River in Laredo, Texas. He and another inspector had obtained a tip that the smugglers would be placing contraband liquor at a certain location along the river within the Laredo city limits. The inspectors went to the location, and as they made their way through the brush, were ambushed by one of the smugglers. Despite being mortally wounded, Inspector Kelsay returned fire and fatally wounded the man as he fled back into Mexico. The man's body was recovered by Mexican customs officers. Three other smugglers were also shot during the shootout, one of them fatally. Inspector Kelsay was a U.S. Army veteran of WWI and had served with the United States Border Patrol for five years. He was survived by his wife, adopted son, father, two brothers, and sister. He was buried in Denton, Texas.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, adopted son, father, two brothers, and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FED-DB110247- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Senior Patrol Inspector Kelsay gave the United States Department of Labor 5 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Robert William Kelsay served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Senior Patrol Inspector Robert William Kelsay is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In DC, 754 of 1,419 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.1% of this state's fallen. That is 1.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At United States Department of Labor - Immigration Service - United States Border Patrol, 20 of 28 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 71.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert William Kelsay's cause is highlighted.
How Robert William Kelsay Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert William Kelsay is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert William Kelsay was killed by handgun; .45 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
27 officers from United States Department of Labor - Immigration Service - United States Border Patrol are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
