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Bernard J. Kelly
Incident
Special Agent Bernard Kelly was shot and killed near Salem while attempting to stop a suspect's vehicle. Agent Kelly, along with two other officers, observed a vehicle pulling out of a dead end where a telephone wire had been reported stolen. As the officers pulled up alongside the suspect's car, an occupant opened fire, striking Agent Kelly and seriously wounding another officer. The suspect, 35, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder to avoid receiving the death penalty and was sentenced to 30 years. On December 15, 1944, his sentence was commuted to 19 years and was told with good behavior, he would be released at the end of 1945. Special Agent Kelly had served with the Missouri Pacific Railroad Police Department for 25 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
25 years. You could have gone home.
Special Agent Kelly gave the Missouri Pacific Railroad Police Department 25 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the St. Louis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Kelly.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Missouri Pacific Railroad Police Department has lost 7 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Bernard is one of 527 officers killed feloniously in MO, 63.6% of the 829 remembered there.
Bernard is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Bernard is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1932, 1 officer at Missouri Pacific Railroad Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 6 years on record. The heaviest was 1919, with 2.
In 1932, 9 officers in MO were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 146 years on record. The heaviest was 1920, with 16.
In 1932, 210 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1932, 210 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Bernard was 56. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Missouri Pacific Railroad Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 38.5 and 54; the middle age was 44. Bernard had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Bernard was 56. Of the 477 killed feloniously in MO whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Bernard had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Bernard was 56. 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. Bernard had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Bernard was 56. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Bernard had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 14.3% of these deaths at Missouri Pacific Railroad Police Department; February holds the most, 42.9%. Fridays: 14.3%.
March holds 8% of these deaths in MO; December holds the most, 11%. Fridays: 12.5%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 7 deaths at Missouri Pacific Railroad Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 14.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.6% of all 829 deaths in MO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 38% of these deaths.
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.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Missouri Pacific Railroad Police Department has 7 officers remembered here, Bernard among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 45-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Missouri Pacific Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw.