Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in Peace on the 53 rd anniversary of your death I was assigned to the 5th district in April 1971 right out of the academy. I worked with all of the officers in your squad and you were all they talked about and referred to during the course of my training. All looked up to you and were devastated by the events of that morning. I don’t think a day went by where your name wasn’t mentioned. Never forgotten.
Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called children of God.

Officer John Amici
Philadelphia Police

February 21, 2024

Officer Kelly,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Philadelphia. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

February 21, 2021

Rest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice are always remembered by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

February 21, 2021

Rest in peace Officer Kelly.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 27, 2020

On Sunday, February 21, 2016 it will be 45 years that a wonderful Father and Husband was brutally taken from his wife and 5 daughters. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of him. There is such a void in our lives. While the dirtball is getting 3 hot's and a cot we have memories without our Father, missed graduations, weddings, the birth of his grand and great/grand children and many other occassions. We have to keep in mind that the sacrifice that he gave was not in vain.

Eileen Barclay(Kelly)
Daughter

February 19, 2016

I was reading about the Pope coming to Philly and saw that he is visiting the Curran Fromhold Prison. The article stated that the Prison was named after 2 wardens who were murdered at Holmsburg. In further reading, it said one of the assailants had killed Officer Kelly in 1971. I went to school with his daughter, Eileen. I remember the service they had at St. William's church for her Dad; it was so incredibly sad. My point here is after all these years, I have never forgotten that day. So, the Officer's sacrifice as well as his family's has not been forgotten.

Margie Gaffner (Schultz)
Childhoold friend

August 17, 2015

A Hero now in Heaven, always remembered and never forgotten.

Kim Weigand Mom of Sgt. Mike Weigand
PA C.O.P.S.

February 21, 2015

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 41rst 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 murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect and your memory will always be honored and revered. I pray for solace for all those who love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Your family is in my heart's embrace. Thanks to your family for sharing their memories of you through their reflections.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

February 21, 2012

I chanced upon this officer's memorial today while looking for stories of the fallen officers feartured on the station wall mural near Broad & Olney.

It grabbed my attention quickly because the last day of his watch was the day I was born.

Losing forty years of your life is an unimaginable sacrifice just to protect a stranger's property, yet that's exactly what every officer risks each time they step into their patrol car.

Now that I know of his sacrifice I will never forget that he gave up his life at the start of mine.

Thank you to Officer Kelly (and his family)

Grateful Citizen
Philadelphia PA

July 14, 2011

You served with honor. Your memory lives on. Job well done brother.

Federal Law Officer

June 1, 2008

As previously mentioned, the plaque dedication for P/O Kelly was beautiful.
Kelly was a good cop doing his job when he was killed. I live nearby to this plaque and I will make sure that he is never forgotten.
Photos of the dedication can be viewed at the web site FLICKR by entering Phillycop or "P/O Kelly plaque dedication".
It is my honor to have taken them.

P/O Fidler
Philadelphia Police

May 31, 2008

For anyone who may visit this page, there is a plaque dedication in honor of P/O Kelly on Wednesday, May 28th at 11:00 A.M. at 271 Paoli Avenue where he was killed. Mrs. Kelly along with her 5 daughters will be there and all are welcome to attend and share their reflections and memories of him with them.

Kathy Wersinger
Family Friend

May 27, 2008

May you always rest in peace and know that you will never be forgotten.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police

February 21, 2008

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family on this anniversary.

Former N.H. Police Officer
Fauquier County, Va

February 21, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR DEDICATION AND SERVICE, YOU ARE A HERO JUST BY THE PROFESSION YOU CHOSE.

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

February 12, 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 24, 2008

i just found out about this site and would like to thank you all on behalf of my family for the kind words from all of you. fondly the kelly family

joann panas (kelly)
youngest daughter

October 4, 2007

Your brother and sister law enforcement officers will never forget the sacrifice the three of you made. Rest in peace always.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police

May 31, 2007

Mr. Kelly, I was only 4 years old when you gave your life and I will never forget the shock and saddnees that was felt by my family. I am now 39 and in law enforcement and I just wanted you to know that I have never forgotten you. I think and pray for you and your family often. Thank You and God Bless You.

Investigator Paul J. Flanagan
USDA,FSIS,OPEER

November 15, 2006

Your death that night was a shock,and loss to all of us who worked with you ,and your family, but more important, your life, the way you treated us younger officers and the example you gave us on how to treat the public helped make all of us better people and better cops.Knowing you and working with you was an honor. Thanks Joe, and heaven became a better place with your arrival.

Det Bob Flannery (retired)
Phila Police--- friend of Joes

October 26, 2006

From an appreciative brother officer just to the South of you, thank you for your heroism and courage. You will always be remembered.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police

September 29, 2006

Brother Kelly,

May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
And the rains fall soft upon your fields,
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Respectfully,
You’re Brothers in Blue

Untouchables Law Enforcement Motorcycle

December 2, 2005

Thank you for your service and sacrifice. Rest in peace.

October 4, 2004