Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Ronald Kelley was shot and killed while making a traffic stop on Maricopa Road. Sergeant Kelley was found on the side of the road and died en route to Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center. A driver's license was found clutched in Sergeant Kelley's hand, which led authorities to the suspect. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. Sergeant Kelley was a United States Army Vietnam War Purple Heart veteran and had served in law enforcement for 20 years with the Goodyear Police Department. Kearney Police Department, Avondale Police Department, Peoria Police Department, and El Mirage Police Department. After retirement, he joined the Ak-Chin Tribal Police Department.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, five children, mother, and brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TR-FFF05DB7- 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.
Sergeant Kelley gave the Ak-Chin Tribal Police Department 20 years.
Thank you for your service to the Maricopa 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
Ronald Eugene Kelley served in the Army (1970â1973) before joining law enforcement.
Sergeant Ronald Eugene 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 AZ, 204 of 330 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.8% of this state's fallen. That is 7.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Ak-Chin Tribal Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Ronald Eugene Kelley's cause is highlighted.
How Ronald Eugene Kelley Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ronald Eugene Kelley is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ronald Eugene Kelley was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Ak-Chin Tribal Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
