Special Agent Bernard J. Kelly, Missouri Pacific Railroad Police Department, Railroad Police

Special Agent Bernard J. Kelly

Missouri Pacific Railroad Police Department, Railroad Police

End of Watch Friday, March 11, 1932

Bernard J. Kelly

Special Agent Bernard Kelly was shot and killed near Salem, Nebraska, while attempting to stop a suspect's vehicle.

Agent Kelly, along with two other officers, observed a vehicle pulling out of a dead end where telephone wire had been reported stolen. As the officers pulled up alongside the suspect's car the occupants opened fire striking Agent Kelly.

The suspect plead guilty to second degree murder to avoid receiving the death penalty.

Special Agent Kelly had served with the agency for 25 years. He was survived by his wife and two children.

Bio

Age 56
Tour 25 years
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Location Nebraska
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender Convicted of murder

larceny

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A Colt, M-1911, .45 cal pistol, SN: 52893 was identified as the murder weapon. It is currently on display at the J.M. Davis Gun Museum, Claremore, OK. The suspect Ambrose Aloysius Piersch was sentenced to 30 years Nebraska State Penitentiary, for 2nd Degree Murder.

Those opposing a request for commuted sentence and parole by Piersch on 13 Dec 1944, were Mrs. B.J. Kelly, widow, Oscar Perterson, Spl Agent, MP RR (also wounded by Piersch), J. Falloon, Former Prosecuting Attorney, Sheriff Irvin Gates, Police Chief Chief Judd Ankrom, and Co. Atty John Wiltse.

Russ Bryan Sr. Manager (Ret)
BNSF Railway Police

October 11, 2018