Austin Police Department, Nevada
End of Watch: Sunday, August 6, 1876
Age: 35
Tour of Duty: 6 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Stabbed
Date of Incident: August 6, 1876
Weapon Used: Edged weapon; Knife
Suspect Info: Set free
Policeman William Kelly was stabbed to death after being ambushed and attacked by a female suspect to whom he had given a warning earlier in the day.
The woman had been involved in a quarrel with another woman at the racetrack in Austin, Nevada when Deputy Kelley intervened.
After the races, Deputy Kelley encountered the suspect a second time in front of a saloon on Cedar Street. During the encounter, the woman stabbed Deputy Kelley in the chest. Although mortally wounded, Deputy Kelley was able to shoot the woman in the leg. He died minutes later.
The woman was taken into custody and charged with murder. A month later the woman had an examination before the justice of the peace and was discharged for reasons unknown.
Policeman Kelly had served with the Austin Police Department for six years.