Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I came across this page and it brought tears to my eyes. What a terrible tragedy. Thank you for serving your community and doing what you loved. I will keep your family and friends in my thoughts today.

July 18, 2005

I remember first meeting Danny in 1991, after being introduced as the "new guy" in a tri city crime supression team, most of the names on this page were a part of the team as well. I instantly liked Danny, and our sense of humor seemed to mesh well.

Over the next several years, we had our ups and downs, but always kept it light.

I remember coming to see him right after the crash, and thinking he would be just fine, he seemed to know people were there, even nodding to questions.

Seeing the names on this page, takes me back to the Sunday morning, when he passed. We are coming up on the date again, hard to believe it's been almost 6 years.

Miss drinking with you, and arguing about women.....

Officer Michael Sieverman
Signal Hill Police Department

May 26, 2005

I first met Danny when he was a teenager in 1982. His high school friend Steve Kubacki grew up the same Westminster neighborhood as I did. Both Danny & Steve were serving the community as Seal Beach Police Explorers at that time. They were having a great time & talked highly about the program & experience they were gaining. Back then I was just starting my L.E. career & was a reserve officer with Tustin PD. One summer day the 3 of us decided to go shooting & drove to the old shooting area of the Angeles Nat’l Forest near Crystal Lake along Hwy 39. We went hiking & shooting all day. In fact, we got off the trail & were a bit lost for an hour or so. We found our way back to Hwy 39, were walking back to my car & an LA Sheriff’s deputy came driving up very slowly. We were all carrying guns, but I displayed my badge & ID, so he gave us a ride back to the car.

Danny’s interest in the job was very strong back then. It was all he & Steve talked about. I remained friends with Steve, but lost touch with Danny. In fact, I didn’t know of his 1999 accident until 2003 when I saw his memorial photo in an old issue of the PORAC news. I immediately recognized his photo, stared at it, read his memorial, but was in total disbelief. I was so shocked I sent an e-mail to another old friend with Seal Beach PD, who confirmed the news. I was very saddened for a long time. I called Steve to ask him if he knew about Danny and he said he had lost touch with him also. I told him of Danny’s unfortunate accident & we both talked about old times, stunned about the bad news. Danny was room mates with Steve for a short time before going off to serve in the military. I was impressed to see Danny had served different local agencies as he gained experience. There is no way of knowing how many people Danny served, impressed, helped, assisted & saved during his many years of L.E. service. I only wish things had worked out differently. He will be missed by so many who cared about him.

Bryan Meder, retired 1998/disabled officer, Tustin PD

Bryan Meder, retired/disabled officer
Tustin Police Department

April 5, 2004

We thought of you with love today, but that is nothing new.

We thought about you yesterday, and the day before that too.

We think of you with silence, we often speak your name.

All we have now are memories and your picture in a frame.

Your memories are our keepsakes with which we'll never part.

God has you in his keeping, we have you in our hearts.

It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone.

A part of us went with you the day God called you home.

Not a day goes by that we don't think of you and miss you. We are so grateful that you were part of our lives. We love you Dan!

Jill and Jourdan

Jill Dunaway

I love Danny like my own son and, like my own son, he sometimes caused me frustration and often gave me something to be proud of. Danny earned the respect of all who knew him both as a Police Officer and as a man.

I thank God that I had the privelege of knowing him.

Sgt. Terry McCarthy (retired)
Los Alamitos Police Department

Danny Kelley was truly one of "my boys" during the time we both served on the Los Alamitos Police Department. His loyalty and friendship became even more evident after both he and I left the department. He to further his career in another department, and me to simply retire.
It is frustrating for me and many like me who now grow old and useless and wonder why you choose to take the young officers with so much life left to live and so much left to give in service. Dear Lord help us to understand.

Chief Jim Guess
Los Alamitos Police Dept. (Retired)

I met Ofc. Kelley (Danny) several years ago when he first joined the Los Alamitos Police Dept. It was not to long before he became my friend and I his. I loved him like a brother and I miss him as one. He was good at his job for many reasons. He loved to help people because he cared so much for life. He loved the Badge because to him, it represented honor, and truth, and valor. And he was all those things, plus so much more. The world is better place because of him. My wife and I and my two sons thank him for that. God bless Dan Kelley, Policeman and friend.

CPL. VIC CANTU JR. RETIRED
LOS ALAMITOS-SANTA ANA P.D.

Danny.......I miss you very much and so do the many people you touched. You were like an older brother to me. You showed me the correct path to take to become a law enforcement officer and I thank you for that. You will be missed and loved, but we know that you are in a good place and will someday be together again. I know you are watching from above and protecting us all, just like you did down on earth. I love you and miss you. Jason

Police Officer Jason D. Perkins
Maywood Police Department

Danny,

Everyone misses you! I can still see your smile when you came into a room or your bad ass look when you were pissed off. Your zest for life was huge and you lived life to the fullest. You were the ultimate roaving party and everyone will hold your energy in their hearts and minds. All of us think about you everyday. Your leaving us has taught us to appreciate and respect each other more and to cherish our time together. I can't help but think you fought so hard in the hospital making sure you didn't leave us until you had an opportunity to say good bye to each of us....Thank you. Please watch over us and keep a beer cold so we can one day share time again together. I miss and love you....

Curt & Sgt. Mark VanHolt

Curt Castagna
Garden Grove Police Department

Too my partner, best friend and soulmate, you are missed more than you could have ever imagined! As I sit here with tears streaming down my cheek, I look at my new son who I hold in my arms; named in your memory. I will forever hold you dear in my heart and will never let your memory die. For although you have moved on to a more peacefull place, your smile and laughter will live on forever, here on earth. You were an inspiration of happiness to all who knew you! You were an exemplary police officer and a tribute to the law enforcement profession. I love you more than life itself and I know in time, we will ride together again. May you rest in peace Danny. Mark.

Motor Sgt. Mark Van Holt
Maywood Police Department

I first met Officer Dan Kelley when he came to work for the Riverside County Sheriff Department and was assigned to the Perris Station. I found out very quickly, there was nothing you did not like about Dan. He would make people laugh when they were down and that big smile of his would make you feel a lot better no matter how bad you were down. Officer Kelley touched many people in Perris, not only the deputies he worked with, but the citizens as well.

One time while riding with Officer Kelley, we were in a store and Dan observed a little boy trying to get his mom to buy him this little set of fire trucks. The mother told the little boy she only had enough money to pay for the food item. As they left the store Dan picked up those fire trucks and bought them for that little boy. When Dan stopped the little boy in the parking lot and gave them to him, that little boy grabbed Dan's leg and hugged him. Dan looked at me and said "I have a soft spot for kids."

This is how I will remember Officer Dan Kelley, a kind and gentle person that he was.

Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God. Matthew 5:9

Rest in peace Officer Dan Kelley, for you will never be forgotten.

Michael J. McAleavey, Commissioner
City of Perris Public Safety

Michael J. McAleavey, Commissioner
Perris Public Safety Commission

When I met Dan, we were both working in the Orange County Sheriff's Department Records Division waiting to go to the Academy. Dan had attempted the academy twice before and had been sidelined both times because of a knee injury. He helped prepare me for what was about to come. During the academy, Dan injured his knee again. He didn't give up and we graduated together. He was an inspiration to the entire class. Not only that, he had a great sense of humor and would keep our spirits up during the rough days. We voted him Class Leader. He will be greatly missed.

Cpl Ron Cottingham
Hemet CA Police Department

The Badge

It is polished and shiny and looks so fine.
Once you earn it you have to tow the line.
The minute you wear it upon your chest
it becomes a symbol that you are the best.
It means honesty, integrity, and fairness to all.
Your life is never your own, but at the publics call.
Night or day, any hour, it makes you a mark.
It doesn't protect you from a shot in the dark.
Over the years the shine starts to fade,
but brighter still is the man its made.
It is often what seperates you from the crowd.
It is a second family of which you are proud.
So now comes your time, you can't be denied.
When you pin on your badge, wear it with pride
The minute you wear it upon your chest
it becomes a symbol that you are the best.

Perris Citizens Patrol