Evening star., 1946-02-21
Col. Edward J. Kelly, 81, Dies
AtDinner 2ODoys AfterRetirinq

~ DffIGGSs LII
Former Police Chief
Suffers Heart Attack; /;
Funeral Saturday
Col. Edward j. Kelly, former
superintendent of metropolitan
police, died suddenly at Sis pm
yesterday of heart attack at the
dinner table at his home, 2101 New
Hampshire avenue NV.
The stocky, silver haired police
mans policeman" who spent 40
years in the Police Department and
advanced from foot patrolman to
head the organization, was 81 years
old. He had been in i'll health for
some time.
Funeral services will be held at lC
am. Saturday at ST. Paul's Church
Fifteenth and v streets NV, with
burial in Glenwood Cemetery. The
body is at the Hines funeral home
29o7 Fourteenth street NV, where
it was taken last night.
1t is expected that high requiem
mass will be sung.
After ordering flags TO be flown
at half staff on District government
buildings, the Commissioners adopt
ed resolution reciting Col. Kelly's
police service since 1906. They said
they we're adopting the resolution
as "a mark of respect to his men,
ory" and their sincere regard for
him as a former official and a
gentleman"
In a letter to Mrs. Kelly trans
mitting copy of their action, the
city heads described Col. Kelly as
IAN honest, faithful District execu-
tive" and said he deserved the ad-
miration of not only those who
served with him, but also others in
District service, who will miss him
and remember him as an upright.
courageous and courteous official
and gentleman"
Retired January 81.
Col. Kelly had been confined to
his home with heart condition
since last December 26. Mrs. Kelly
said today that the only time he
went out since then was on February
II, when he was rendered a tribute
by official Washington. He retired
from the Police Department on
January 81.
Maj. Harvey G. Callahan, super
intendent of police, who succeeded
Col Kelly, said:
Il feel deep sense of personal
loss of a close, respected friend of
many years in Col. Kelly's death
This is real civic loss of a man on
whose judgment and experience I
mad come to rely and hoped to have
the benefit of for many years.
Il speak for the entire Police De-
partment in mourning Col. Kelly S
passing. I have known him since
1920"
The colonel sat down to dinner
last evening with his wife, Elsie, and
her sister, Mrs. Irene Watts, who
customarily had the evening meal
with them. After he had said grace
he collapsed within few moments
Mrs. Kelly said. She recalled that
he looked at her and said falter-
ingly:
"Elsie-I feel bad"
For a brief space he sat tense
and then his head fell on the table
Help was summoned Immediately
and DR.. Jack A. Connor, 2026 Six
teenth street NV, who lives but a
block away, arrived within 10 min
utes. He expressed the opinion the
colonel had died instantly.
Surveying a lifetime of police
work, the widow summed it up to-
day in a brief sentence: "He was
as good as gold.'
Planned to Attend O'Dea Rites.
Col. Kelly had been under treat
ment since last July by DR.. John
A. Reed, 1720 Connecticut avenue
NV. That physician is chairman
of the Board of Police and Fire
Surgeons.
Shortly after pm, yesterday
and only about two hours before his
death, Col. Kelly was considering
making arrangements to attend the
funeral of Larry O'Dea, rs, former
District detective who died Tues
day at his home in Waldorf, Md.
Col. Kelly telephoned Detective
Sergt. Hoyle D. Secrest, administra.
tive assistant to Inspector Robert j
Barrett, chief of detectives. Col
Kelly told Sergt. Secrest that h,
might be physically able to attene
Mr.. O'Dea's funeral, and requested
that if he did feel well enough ar.
rangements be made to have a cal
pick him up.
Inspector Barrett, a nephew O.
Col. Kelly, on sick leave in Florida
notified the police department tina
he will return to Washington today
A committee from the Society oi
Natives Of the District will repre-.
sent the society at Col. Kelly's
funeral. Those named to attend
include Miss Eta L. Taggart, Her.