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William E. Kelly
Agency patch
Patrolman

William E. Kelly

New York City Police Department — New York, NY
Felonious
United States flag New York flag
End of Watch January 31, 1928
Age 33
Badge 9096
The Vigil Panel 54 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 1,221

Incident

Patrolman Kelly was shot and killed during a robbery in progress of a business on Nostrand Avenue in Brooklyn. Officer Kelly was assigned to a special plainclothes detail to attempt to catch a group of robbery suspects. Patrolman Kelly was part of a detail assigned to capture the "Pants Gang." The gang of robbers had been given that name because they forced their robbery victims to remove their pants to hinder pursuit. Patrolman Kelly was inside the business when the three men entered and announced a holdup. As they began searching customers, they located Patrolman Kelly's badge. Patrolman Kelly immediately pulled a nearby light cord and turned off the business' lights. The suspect opened fire in the darkness, striking Patrolman Kelly in the back. The three men fled the scene but were eventually apprehended. All three men were convicted of Patrolman Kelly's murder and executed on January 24, 1929. Patrolman Kelly was assigned to the 37th Precinct, the present day 67th Precinct.

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August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Kelly served with the New York City Police Department.
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

Department New York City Police Department
Type Police Department
Location New York, NY
Platform Identity nypd.newyork.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch January 31, 1928
Age 33
Badge Number 9096
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1928, 201 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 13th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

William was 33. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

New York City Police Department has at least 120 officers remembered here, William among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman William E. Kelly

New York City Police Department · End of Watch January 31, 1928

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 22-E

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