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Incident
Officer Kelley was shot and critically wounded when he attempted to arrest three men who had robbed a grocery store near Vicksburg. Two suspects exited their vehicle and opened fire with shotguns when Officer Kelley pulled them over on Highway 61 in Leland. Officer Kelley was hit in the face with shotgun pellets fired through his windshield. Minutes later the three suspects were apprehended by the Leland police chief. Ten weeks later Officer Kelley died from his wounds. It was later discovered the car they were driving was stolen and they had killed the owner and had thrown his body in a swamp near Belle Chase, Louisiana. On December 10, 1977, the three suspects, 16, 23, and 26, who shot Officer Kelley were convicted of aggravated assault on a police officer and sentenced to 30 years in prison. They received a life sentence for the armed robbery of the grocery store. On February 26, 1978, the same day that Officer Kelley died, the 26-year-old suspect attacked six prison guards, stabbing one with a knife. He was convicted of assault on a correctional officer and received an additional sentence. Officer Kelley had served with the Leland Police Department for four years. He was survived by his wife, stepson, parents, and brother. The bridge located at the interchange of U.S. Highway 61 and U.S. Highway 82 in Leland, Mississippi, was designated the "Donnie Gene Kelley Memorial Bridge."
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, stepson, parents, and brother.
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.
Police Officer I Kelley gave the Leland Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Leland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer I Kelley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Donnie is the only officer of Leland Police Department remembered here.
Donnie is one of 243 officers killed feloniously in MS, 69.4% of the 350 remembered there.
Donnie is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Donnie is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1978, 5 officers in MS were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1981, with 6.
In 1978, 121 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1978, 135 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Donnie was 28. Of the 222 killed feloniously in MS whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 53; the middle age was 41. Donnie had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Donnie was 28. 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. Donnie had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Donnie was 28. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Donnie had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 9.1% of these deaths in MS; December holds the most, 12.3%. Sundays: 14.4%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Leland Police Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.4% of all 350 deaths in MS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 15.2% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 9-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Leland Police Department are honored on badge.nw.