Ronald P. Chelius
Agency patch
Agent

Ronald P. Chelius

Felonious Veteran →
End of Watch March 13, 1979
Age 37
Tour of Duty 6 yrs
The Vigil Panel 121 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Agent Ronald Chelius was shot and killed in Sacramento, California while participating in an undercover drug purchase. An investigation into a Carson City drug ring led agents to a supplier in Sacramento. Agent Chelius had arranged to purchase a large amount of mescaline from two juvenile suspects. After the purchase Agent Chelius identified himself and told them, they were both under arrest. One of the suspects produced a small handgun and shot him in the chest, killing him. The suspects attempted to flee but were apprehended by other agents who were observing the operation. The subject who murdered Agent Chelius was paroled on September 16, 2014. Agent Chelius was a United States Marine Corps veteran and had served with the Nevada Division of Investigation and Narcotics for six years and had previously served with the Carson City Sheriff's Department.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and three children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-NV-5A44BE87
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.
Agent Chelius gave the Nevada Division of Investigation and Narcotics 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Carson City 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

Location Carson City, NV
Platform Identity ndin.carsoncity.nv.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 13, 1979
Tour of Duty 6 yrs
Age 37
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun
Offender Paroled in 2014

Military Service

Ronald P. Chelius served in the Marine Corps (1958–1963) before joining law enforcement.

View full service record on salute.nw →

Agent Ronald P. Chelius 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%.

At Nevada Division of Investigation and Narcotics, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Nevada Division of Investigation and Narcotics
2
of 2 officers
100% Felonious
NV — Statewide
81
of 145 officers
55.9% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Ronald P. Chelius's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Ronald P. Chelius Compares

Age at End of Watch
37
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
6
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Paroled in 2014

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ronald P. Chelius is highlighted in Mar.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ronald P. Chelius was killed by handgun.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from Nevada Division of Investigation and Narcotics are honored on badge.nw.