Roll of Honor
Incident
Policeman William Kelly was stabbed to death after being ambushed and attacked by a female suspect to whom he had given a warning earlier in the day.
The woman had been involved in a quarrel with another woman at the racetrack in Austin, Nevada when Deputy Kelley intervened.
After the races, Deputy Kelley encountered the suspect a second time in front of a saloon on Cedar Street. During the encounter, the woman stabbed Deputy Kelley in the chest. Although mortally wounded, Deputy Kelley was able to shoot the woman in the leg. He died minutes later.
The woman was taken into custody and charged with murder. A month later the woman had an examination before the justice of the peace and was discharged for reasons unknown.
Policeman Kelly had served with the Austin Police Department for six years.
Rest in peace knowing that no passage of time will ever erase your service and sacrifice.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo Delaware State Police (Retired) August 6th, 2020
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NV-2CC09E8D- 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 William. 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
150 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Policeman Kelly gave the Austin Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Austin community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Policeman William 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 NV, 81 of 145 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 55.9% of this state's fallen. That is 1.7 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. William J. Kelly's cause is highlighted.
How William J. Kelly Compares
Offender Outcome
Set free
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William J. Kelly is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William J. Kelly was killed by edged weapon; knife.