John Graham Kelty
Agency patch
Police Officer

John Graham Kelty

Pittsburgh Bureau of Police — Pittsburgh, PA
Accident
End of Watch January 11, 1903
Age 47
Tour of Duty 12 yrs
The Vigil Panel 18 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Police Officer John Kelty was killed in a streetcar crash on Frankstown Avenue, in front of the old Homewood carbarns between Felicia Avenue and Braddock Avenue. He was returning to his beat after finishing his meal break at his residence only a few blocks away.

The streetcar that Officer Kelty was riding on had stopped at the carbarns so the conductor could make a report. Another streetcar approached down a steep grade and was unable to stop.

Both of Officer Kelty's legs were severed in the collision and he died a short time later after being transported to the East End Hospital. Eleven other citizens were injured in the collision.

Police Officer Kelty served with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for 12 years and was assigned to the 6th Police District East End, present day Zone 5 Police Station.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, and eight children.

In Our Keeping

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Added to badge.nw
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.
Police Officer Kelty gave the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police 12 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Kelty.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Federal Agency
Location Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, PA
Platform Identity pittpd.fed.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch January 11, 1903
Tour of Duty 12 yrs
Age 47
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident

The Sacrifice · Accident

John is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1903, 12 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 133rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

John was 47. 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. John had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

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

When

January holds 7.7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 14%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Pittsburgh Bureau of Police has 101 officers remembered here, John among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Police Officer John Graham Kelty

Pittsburgh Bureau of Police · End of Watch January 11, 1903

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 6-E

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