Bio & Incident Details
Age: Not available
Tour: Not available
Badge # 427
Cause: Gunfire
Incident Date: 5/31/1935
Weapon: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect: Apprehended
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Officer Thomas Kelma was shot and mortally wounded while attempting to arrest four armed robbers. Officer Kelma observed four armed robbers enter a lounge. As Officer Kelma intervened, a struggle ensued. The gunmen fired at the officer and fled. Officer Kelma succumbed to his wounds.
All four suspects were arrested and charged with Officer Kelma's murder. On July 26, 1935, one of the suspects was sentenced to life in prison; another one got 14 years; and one suspect hanged himself in his jail cell just before he was to be sentenced.
