Gary Police Department, Indiana
End of Watch Thursday, March 31, 1932
Add to My HeroesJames L. Kelly
Detective James Kelly was shot and killed in Oak Park, Illinois, while investigating several armed robberies in Gary and Hammond.
Upon receiving information the gang responsible for these crimes was headquartered at 37 Harrison Street, Detective Kelly and an Oak Park detective entered the apartment building. Although the primary suspect was not there, three other suspects were arrested and their weapons confiscated. As the officers walked the men to a nearby corner with a patrol box, one suspect drew a second concealed revolver. Detective Kelly was shot and killed, while the Oak Park detective was wounded, but was able to return fire injuring another suspect.
Two of the suspects were held, but the shooter fled the scene. On April 16, he and another gang member were arrested in Newark, Ohio, after robbing two theater messengers of $400 in Zanesville the night before. The shooter pleaded guilty to murder in exchange for being spared the death penalty. He was sentenced to life in prison on June 3, 1932.
Detective Kelly was survived by his wife and four children. He is buried at Calvary Cemetery in Portage, Indiana.
Bio
- Age 33
- Tour Not available
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Location Illinois
- Weapon Handgun; Revolver
- Offender Sentenced to life
Most Recent Reflection
View all 13 ReflectionsRest in peace Detective Kelly.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
July 29, 2022
Recent LODD Deaths

Lieutenant Eddie Mays
Bernie Police Department, MO
EOW: June 5, 2025

Police Officer Gabriel Facio
Apache Junction Police Department, AZ
EOW: June 8, 2025

Police Officer Krystal Rivera
Chicago Police Department, IL
EOW: June 5, 2025

Sergeant J. D. White
Angleton Police Department, TX
EOW: June 1, 2025

Police Officer Timothy Ontiveros
Bloomfield Police Department, NM
EOW: June 1, 2025

Police Officer Samuel Riveros
Baldwin Park Police Department, CA
EOW: May 31, 2025

Deputy Sheriff Daniel Weston Sherrer
Morrow County Sheriff's Office, OH
EOW: May 26, 2025

Deputy Sheriff Nathaniel Ansay
Florence County Sheriff's Office, SC
EOW: May 20, 2025

Lieutenant Allen "Noochie" Credeur
Rayne Police Department, LA
EOW: May 5, 2025