Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

1st Sgt. Kelley,
On today, the 25th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of the state of Indiana. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

April 17, 2023

Rest in peace First Sergeant Kelley.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 5, 2020

20 years and still in my thoughts daily as an open wound that does not close. You are remembered and missed, my friend and my mentor.

Gary Catron

April 16, 2018

17 years ago today we lost a hero that gave his life to save others. You Will Never be forgotten F/Sgt.

Indiana Conservation Officer
Indiana Department of Natural Resources

April 17, 2015

Karl,

Just thinking of you today after our state lost another fine officer. I hope ALL will know what you did the day that you died. You died trying to help your brothers you are a true hero and should be awarded the Medal of Valor for what you did. I was just talking with someone the other day about our dove hunt when I first met you. I had one of our officers from our department with us and he shot at a duck. Here we were hunting with three IN CO's and he shoots at a duck. Thank God he missed but it makes me laugh and how you guys just looked at him and shook your heads. You are missed sounds like you might have a grandson following your footsteps. He's got big shoes to fill but with you and God leading him he will do well.

Chief of Police (Retired)
Anderson Police Department IN

September 8, 2014

RIP Sir, your service will not be forgotten.

Laura Gibson-Szerokman, Surviving Spouse
of Ofc. Allen W. Gibson, Jr. EOW: 04/25/98

April 17, 2014

Rest in Peace, First Sergeant Kelley. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

February 17, 2013

Thank you for your service Sir.

James Kotke
Civilian / Former Officer
WSF Park Police (Wi.)

February 3, 2012

Sgt. Kelley you are remembered by the members of the Boston Police for your dedication to duty. RIP

Det. Michael Kane
Boston Police Dept.

January 19, 2012

First Sgt Kelley thank you for your service to the citizens of Shelby County and Indiana. Please guide us while we build the Fallen Officer Memorial Garden in your honor. Please help it become a sacred place of peace for your family and the citizens of Shelby County. God Bless you and yours.

Theresa Nolley
President FOP Auxiliary Shelby Lodge #84

October 1, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the eleventh anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace.

I hold your family in my thoughts and prayers today.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

April 17, 2009

I had the pleasure of working as a counselor at the Karl E. Kelley camp this past summer. You would be proud of what the ICO's and volunteers continue to do year after year in your memory. During that time, I had the pleasure of meeting on of your grandsons, as well as your daughter. You were truly a remarkable man, and an inspiration to all. At the end of camp, they shared your story. I sat next to your grandson and ICO "Spanky". It didn't take me long to realize just how vividly your memory lives on. We are all honored that you served us so well. God bless...

Molly L. Pate

November 5, 2008

Hey Grandpa! I just wanted to say that you are a hero in my life in more ways than one! You were an amazing person who left an impact on everyone you met. It feels just like yesterday that I was sitting in the living room and you were giving me a hard time! I love you! You should see grandma. She is a very strong lady. Losing you was hard on all of us, especially her. You were the best thing that could have ever happened to her, and I am proud to call you grandpa. We all love you dearly, and there is nothing we wouldnt do to get you back! I love you and miss you!

Jill Pickett
Grand daughter

June 13, 2008

Rest in peace brother, you have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Middletown P.D. (Ohio)

April 17, 2008

Dad,
I can't believe we are approaching 10 years since you have been gone. In so many ways, it seems like just yesterday that we held you as we said goodbye. Your Grandson will be 16 yrs. old this week, and I think it was just yesterday that you tried so hard to beat him at Mario Carts! You kept running into the walls! Ha! You would be so proud of him. His hair is way too long, and I know you would give him a hard time, but he wants to let it get long enough to donate to 'Locks of Love'. I know that you would be secretly proud of that!
For the last 3 years, he has told me he wants to become a Conservation Officer in Indiana. To be honest, I've tried to discourage him, but if it is in his heart, then I can't stop it. There is no more of a noble profession than to live your life in law enforcement, and I will be his biggest fan, always and forever. I will always be as proud of him as I always was of you!
To my Hero; you always were my Hero, long before you were everyone elses Hero!
I love you Dad!
Laura

Laura Kelley Jones
Daughter

January 17, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

January 9, 2008

A true hero in every sense of the word. As another sad anniversary approaches, may First Sgt. Kelley's family rest assured that his bravery and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Sgt. Tom Carver
Delaware State Police

April 17, 2007

Rest in peace, Sir! You are not forgotten.

Police Officer

May 11, 2006

Rest in Peace Brother

Dep. Bennett
Henry County Sheriff's Dept. (Indiana)

April 17, 2006

Karl,

I can only say that I'm sorry I did not get to know you better. I enjoyed the dove hunt at ICO Jerry Jackson's house. Many will remember your funeral, hundreds of citizens, children lined the streets of your home town with flags in hand to pay their respects for you. They say when it storms during a person's funeral that that person's death was not supposed to have happened. On the way to your gravesite it hailed three inches deep. Many people don't know your story, that you tried to save some of your fellow officers who had fallen in the river. You are a true hero and I tell your story often. May God bless you and your family and it sounds as if you truly are working through your daugther. Your family, friends and fellow officers are always in my prayers. God Speed!!

Detective Darron Sparks
Anderson Indiana Police Department

June 27, 2005

Classmate, friend and fellow officer. You are missed. rest well! John Mull In. State Police (Ret)

1st Sgt. John Mull
IN. State Police (RET)

November 6, 2004

You are a true hero, you laid down yor life to save your fellow officers.
Rest in peace my brother.

Police Officer
NYPD

Dear Sgt Kelley,

I learned a little about you from your daughter Laura. I am glad to have met her. She works hard with survivors to share with them and comfort them. You will always live in her through her work, efforts, and thoughts. Your memory remains alive with her. I'm sure you'd be proud. Please stay with her as her "Guardian Angel" to keep her safe. She is a special person which I'm sure she owes to you.

God Bless your soul.

Ann Becker Alexandrino

survivor
hialeah pd