Bio & Incident Details
Age: 35
Tour: Not available
Badge # 6161
Cause: Gunfire
Incident Date: 5/3/1939
Weapon: Handgun
Suspect: Executed in 1941
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Patrolman Philip J. Kelly was shot and mortally wounded in a gun battle with two armed robbers in a tavern at 4623 North Western Avenue. Officer Kelly and his partner were sitting at the bar, off duty, and in plain clothes when two armed men entered the tavern and announced a robbery. As the two officers drew their guns the suspects opened fire. Officer Kelly suffered a fatal gunshot wound, a patron was killed, and Officer Kelly's partner was seriously wounded. Officer Kelly's partner shot one of the suspects in the back as they fled from the tavern. The suspects summoned a doctor from his home and forced him at gunpoint to go with them to their apartment and remove the bullet. The next day the suspects were captured in Detroit, Michigan. Patrolman Kelly died from his wound a week later.
Both suspects were convicted of the patrons murder on June 19, 1939. They were both executed in the electric chair on June 20, 1941.
