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Incident
Field Superintendent Woody Kelly and Chief Game Protector Joseph Kalbfus were killed when their patrol car was struck by a "Fast Express" train in Warren County, Pennsylvania.
The two were traveling from DuBois to Warren as part of their inspection of the state game preserves. About 12:15 pm Superintendent Kelly was driving across a track crossing near Sheffield when the express train rounded a curve and struck the car. Dr. Kalbfus was thrown from the vehicle and died instantly while Kelly was pinned between the wreckage of the car and the locomotive. This crossing was in a dangerous location and was the scene of another accident about a week earlier.
Superintendent Kelly had originally been hired as a Traveling Game Protector six years earlier, then promoted to Superintendent of Game Preserves. He was known for his devotion to duty as well as his knowledge of the outdoors. He was instrumental in selecting the locations for the state preserves.
The two were traveling from DuBois to Warren as part of their inspection of the state game preserves. About 12:15 pm Superintendent Kelly was driving across a track crossing near Sheffield when the express train rounded a curve and struck the car. Dr. Kalbfus was thrown from the vehicle and died instantly while Kelly was pinned between the wreckage of the car and the locomotive. This crossing was in a dangerous location and was the scene of another accident about a week earlier.
Superintendent Kelly had originally been hired as a Traveling Game Protector six years earlier, then promoted to Superintendent of Game Preserves. He was known for his devotion to duty as well as his knowledge of the outdoors. He was instrumental in selecting the locations for the state preserves.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and seven children.
In Our Keeping
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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.
Field Superintendent Kelly gave the Pennsylvania Game Commission 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Harrisburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Field Superintendent Kelly.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Pennsylvania Game Commission has lost 12 officers; 5 of them lost to accidents.
Elias is one of 417 officers lost to accidents in PA, 33% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Elias is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Elias 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 1919, 2 officers at Pennsylvania Game Commission were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1919, 8 officers in PA were lost to accidents, the 8th heaviest of 133 years on record. The heaviest was 1932, with 14.
In 1919, 51 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 94th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1919, 55 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 96th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Elias was 56. Of the 4 lost to accidents at Pennsylvania Game Commission whose age is recorded, half were between 39.5 and 60; the middle age was 48.5. Elias had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 5.5 years.
Elias was 56. Of the 412 lost to accidents in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48.3; the middle age was 38. Elias had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 8.6 years.
Elias 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. Elias had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Elias 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. Elias had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 40% of these deaths at Pennsylvania Game Commission, more than any other month. Sundays: 60%.
August holds 8.4% of these deaths in PA; October holds the most, 10.6%. Sundays: 16.3%.
August holds 9.5% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Sundays: 14%.
August holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 41.7% of all 12 deaths at Pennsylvania Game Commission, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 33% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, 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
Pennsylvania Game Commission has 12 officers remembered here, Elias among them.
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L. Seeley Houk
Mar 2, 1906
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Charles Beecham Nov 4, 1906
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Joseph McHugh
Nov 7, 1915
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Joseph H. Kalbfus
Aug 10, 1919
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Elias W. Kelly
Aug 10, 1919
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Darrell S. Solida Dec 6, 1931
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Walter M. Middleton Dec 1, 1935
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John B. Ross Jul 18, 1942
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Robert Earl Zimmerman
May 13, 1957
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Leroy Brown Stackhouse Sep 28, 1969
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Woodrow E. Portzline
Oct 24, 1973
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David Lynn Grove
Nov 11, 2010
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 5-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Pennsylvania Game Commission are honored on badge.nw.
