SHERIFF KELLY

TITLE:  Sheriff

NAME:  Calvin L. Kelly

AWARD:  Award of Purple Heart - Posthumously

DATE OF ACTION:  19 December 1931

AUTHORITY:  General Order - Awards and Decorations

PERMANENT ORDER:  21-011-3

CITATION:  Sheriff Calvin L. Kelly of the Howell County Sheriff's Office meritoriously distinguished himself through selfless conduct in his performance of service and protection for the County of Howell and the State of Missouri.  On December 19, 1931 Alvin F. Karpis who was driving a 1931 blue De Soto and his passenger Fredrick G. Barker both well known gangsters pulled into the Davidson’s Garage located in West Plains, Missouri to have two flat tires repaired.  The blue De Soto alerted the attendant at the Davidson's Garage for it matched the description of a vehicle stolen near McCallon’s Store in West Plains on the night it was burglarized.  With this description, the attendant notified Sheriff Kelly of the suspicious vehicle.  Once notified, Sheriff Kelly arrived on scene and approached the suspect vehicle from the right side door with both Karpis and Barker still seated inside; immediately Sheriff Kelly received decisive gunfire from both Karpis and Barker resulting in Sheriff Kelly being fatally wounded on scene.  His selfless actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of public safety and reflect distinct credit upon himself, the Howell County Sheriff's Office, the County of Howell and the State of Missouri.