Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Indiana
End of Watch: Friday, April 17, 1998
Age: 56
Tour of Duty: 28 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Drowned
Date of Incident: April 16, 1998
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
First Sergeant Karl Kelley died from injuries suffered the day before during a training exercise at the Williams Dam on the East Fork White River in Lawrence County.
A boat containing two other conservation officers had overturned in turbulent waters. When Sergeant Kelley and another conservation officer attempted a rescue, their boat capsized as well. First Sergeant Kelley was rescued after being submerged for 15 minutes. He survived for 24 hours before succumbing to his injuries at University of Louisville Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky.
Sergeant Kelley had served with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources for 28 years. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, son, two stepsons, parents, brother, sister, four grandchildren, and two stepgrandchildren.