Roll of Honor
Incident
Night Marshal John Kelley succumbed to gunshot wounds he suffered two days earlier after confronting a disorderly subject.
After the subject had attempted to be served liquor at a diner on South Division Street at 11:30 pm, he was refused. The subject then became disorderly which attracted the attention of Night Marshal Kelley. As he was being reprimanded for his behavior, the subject produced a gun, shot Night Marshal Kelley four times in the abdomen and fled the scene.
Night Marshal Kelley was transported to Holden Hospital in Carbondale where he died two days later from the wounds he suffered.
Night Marshal Kelley had served with the Du Quoin Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, stepson, sister, three brothers and mother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-9C6EEFA8- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew John. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Night Marshal Kelley gave the Du Quoin Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Du Quoin community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Night Marshal Kelley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Night Marshal John Franklin Kelley 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 IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 9.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Franklin Kelley's cause is highlighted.
How John Franklin Kelley Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Franklin Kelley is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Franklin Kelley was killed by handgun.