Prev
Incident
On June 13, 1870, Nueces County Sheriff Dennis J. Kelly walked passed Thomas Burke on a downtown street in Corpus Christi. The sheriff knew Burke was wanted but walked past him. Burke shot and killed Sheriff Kelly. Burke fled and a $500 reward was offered for his capture, but no records located to indicate Burke was ever apprehended.
Sheriff Kelly was survived by his wife and five children. Sheriff Kelly was appointed on April 16, 1869 by General J. J. Reynolds’ Special Order #90; took the test oath April 30, 1869; elected December 3, 1869 and served until June 13, 1870 when he was murdered.
Survivors
Sheriff Kelly was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpz3btpzyec6yh4h12fb- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Dennis. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
156 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Sheriff Kelly gave the Nueces County Sheriff's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Corpus Christi community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Nueces County Sheriff's Office has lost 9 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Dennis is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Dennis is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Dennis 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 1870, 1 officer at Nueces County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1870, 7 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 89th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1870, 31 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 155th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1870, 31 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 157th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Dennis was 43. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Nueces County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 24.5 and 35; the middle age was 30. Dennis had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 2.1 years.
Dennis was 43. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Dennis had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Dennis was 43. 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. Dennis had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Dennis was 43. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Dennis had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 28.6% of these deaths at Nueces County Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Mondays: 28.6%.
June holds 10.3% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Mondays: 13.3%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 77.8% of all 9 deaths at Nueces County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 42.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 22.3% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Nueces County Sheriff's Office has 9 officers remembered here, Dennis among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Nueces County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
