Chicago Police Department, Illinois
End of Watch: Wednesday, May 10, 1939
Age: 35
Tour of Duty: 6 years, 4 months
Badge Number: 6161
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: May 3, 1939
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Executed in 1941
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.
He and his partner were sitting at the bar, off duty and in plainclothes, when two armed men entered the tavern and announced a robbery. As the two officers drew their guns, the suspects opened fire. Patrolman Kelly suffered a fatal gunshot wound, his partner was seriously wounded, and another patron was killed.
Patrolman Kelly's partner shot one of the men in the back as they fled 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 one week later.
Both suspects were convicted of the patron's murder on June 19th, 1939. They were both executed in the electric chair on June 20th, 1941.
Patrolman Kelly had served with the Chicago Police Department for over six years. He was survived by his father and three brothers.