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Incident
Chief Joseph Kelly succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained the previous day while attempting to search a car he had stopped. The suspect fled the scene after the shooting.
Chief Kelly drove himself to the home of a local doctor where he collapsed. He was transported to a hospital in Fayetteville where he died the following day.
The suspect was captured several days later in Bangor, Maine. He was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 30 years in prison. On December 12, 1929, he escaped from the Caledonia Prison Farm in Halifax County. He was recaptured in Ohio in November of 1935 and returned to prison. He was paroled October 20, 1940.
Chief Kelly was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Chief Kelly was survived by his wife.
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.
Chief of Police Kelly served with the Southern Pines Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Southern Pines community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Kelly.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Southern Pines Police Department has lost 6 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Joseph is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joseph 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 1929, 12 officers in NC were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1929, 205 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1929, 206 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joseph was 50. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39.
Joseph was 50. 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.
Joseph was 50. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
March holds 6.2% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Thursdays: 16.1%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 6 deaths at Southern Pines Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 22.9% 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
Southern Pines Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 45-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Southern Pines Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
