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Karl Eugene Kelley
Incident
First Sergeant Karl Kelley died from injuries suffered the day before during a training exercise at the Williams Dam on the East Fork White River in Lawrence County. A boat containing two other conservation officers had overturned in turbulent waters. When Sergeant Kelley and another conservation officer attempted a rescue, their boat capsized as well. First Sergeant Kelley was rescued after being submerged for 15 minutes. He survived for 24 hours before succumbing to his injuries at University of Louisville Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky. Sergeant Kelley had served with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources for 28 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two daughters, son, two stepsons, parents, brother, sister, four grandchildren, and two stepgrandchildren.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
28 years. You could have gone home.
First Sergeant Kelley gave the Indiana Department of Natural Resources 28 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Indianapolis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, First Sergeant Kelley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Indiana Department of Natural Resources has lost 7 officers; 6 of them lost to accidents.
Karl is one of 151 officers lost to accidents in IN, 30% of the 503 remembered there.
Karl is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Karl is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1998, 1 officer at Indiana Department of Natural Resources was lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 5 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 2.
In 1998, 3 officers in IN were lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 85 years on record. The heaviest was 1942, with 4.
In 1998, 84 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 21st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1998, 93 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 31st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Karl was 56. Of the 6 lost to accidents at Indiana Department of Natural Resources whose age is recorded, half were between 40.3 and 57.5; the middle age was 50. Karl had served 28 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Karl was 56. Of the 149 lost to accidents in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 47; the middle age was 36. Karl had served 28 years; the middle length of service was 4.6 years.
Karl was 56. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Karl had served 28 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Karl was 56. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Karl had served 28 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 50% of these deaths at Indiana Department of Natural Resources, more than any other month. Fridays: 16.7%.
April holds 7.3% of these deaths in IN; December holds the most, 11.3%. Fridays: 17.9%.
April holds 7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.1%.
April holds 7% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 85.7% of all 7 deaths at Indiana Department of Natural Resources, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 503 deaths in IN, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Indiana Department of Natural Resources has 7 officers remembered here, Karl among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 11-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Indiana Department of Natural Resources are honored on badge.nw.
