Del. officer paralyzed during 1984 helicopter training dies from injury complications

SUSSEX COUNTY, Del. — A former Delaware State Police corporal who was injured in the line of duty in 1984 has died from complications of the injury, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.

Corporal Dennis Francis Kelly, 69, was severely injured on May 20, 1984, when he and a colleague were training for helicopter takeoffs, according to the page. While landing a practice flight, the helicopter flipped onto its side.

The other DSP officer was able to climb out of the helicopter and pull Kelly to safety. Kelly was treated for a broken neck, which caused quadriplegia. His death on Dec. 21, 2024, was caused by spinal injury complications, according to the page.

Kelly served with DSP for seven years.He is survived by his wife, daughter and two sisters.

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