Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Thomas J. Kelly died from a gunshot wound inflicted during a routine traffic stop. Officer Kelly and his partner observed a traffic violation and stopped a car with two men at 360 E. 44th Street. As they approached the car, Officer Kelly stood outside as his partner searched the interior. Suddenly, one of the vehicle's occupants pulled a gun, fatally wounding Patrolman Kelly. Upon hearing the gunshots, his partner tried to draw his weapon but was struck twice before he could return fire. When they attempted to shoot Kelly's partner a third time, their gun misfired and they escaped on foot. Officer Kelly was transported to Provident Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The driver and the occupant were discovered later the same day at 6543 S. Wood Street. More than 100 police and firemen surrounded the building and fired tear gas through the windows. The shooter was found guilty of the murder of Patrolman Kelly and aggravated battery in connection with the shooting of the second officer who made a full recovery. He received the death penalty. When the courts overturned the death penalty, he was sentenced to life in prison. On July 29, 2010, the Illinois Prisoner Review Board voted unanimously to reject his parole request. He was also given the maximum time of three years before he would be up for parole again. As of September 4, 2020, he was still in prison. Patrolman Thomas J. Kelly was a U.S Marine Corps veteran and had served with the Chicago Police Department for four years. He was survived by his parents, two brothers and a fiancée. He was laid to rest at St. Mary's Cemetery.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents, two brothers and a fiancée.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-D6DA073A- 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.
Patrolman Kelly gave the Chicago Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Thomas J. Kelly served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman Thomas J. Kelly 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%.
At Chicago Police Department, 396 of 571 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas J. Kelly's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas J. Kelly Compares
Offender Outcome
Convicted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas J. Kelly is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas J. Kelly was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
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