Thomas F. Kelly
Agency patch
Patrolman

Thomas F. Kelly

Felonious
End of Watch April 17, 1925
Age 29
Tour of Duty 6 yrs
Badge 8558
The Vigil Panel 49 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Thomas Kelly was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man he observed stealing a car. Patrolman Kelly and his partner were in plainclothes and were keeping surveillance of a location on 113th Street when they observed two men approach a parked vehicle. One man entered the car, while the other man acted as a lookout. Patrolman Kelly and his partner approached the men. Patrolman Kelly's partner began struggling with the man inside the vehicle as Patrolman Kelly attempted to take the lookout into custody. At some point, the lookout pulled a handgun and shot Patrolman Kelly. Patrolman Kelly was rushed to St. Luke's Hospital but died from his wound. Patrolman Kelly was assigned to the 12th Division and had served with the agency for six years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-868854EA
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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Kelly gave the New York City Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Kelly.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Location New York, NY
Platform Identity nypd.newyork.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 17, 1925
Tour of Duty 6 yrs
Age 29
Badge Number 8558
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun
Offender Not available

Patrolman Thomas F. 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 NY, 754 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.1% of this state's fallen. That is 19.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At New York City Police Department, 382 of 1237 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 30.9% of this agency's fallen.

New York City Police Department
382
of 1,237 officers
30.9% Felonious
NY — Statewide
754
of 2,147 officers
35.1% 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. Thomas F. Kelly'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 Thomas F. Kelly Compares

Age at End of Watch
29
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
6
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Not available

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas F. Kelly is highlighted in Apr.

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. Thomas F. Kelly was killed by handgun.

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

Incident Location