Trooper of the Year 2017 – Corporal Seth Kelly

On November 7, 2017 Corporal Seth Kelly of the Pennsylvania State Police arrived on scene to assist Trooper Ryan Seiple with a routine traffic stop. Mr. Daniel Khalil Clary, a 22-year-old male, was pulled over for speeding but after a second approach, Trooper Seiple suspected that Clary was under the influence of a controlled substance and called Corporal Kelly for backup. After failing the field sobriety test, Clary became violent as the troopers attempted to take him into custody. As the altercation ensued, both troopers deployed their electronic control weapons, but the struggle escalated onto the highway. Corporal Kelly pulled the subject back onto the shoulder of the highway to safety, but Clary managed to break free, return to his vehicle, and grab a pistol. Clary fired six shots; three of which struck Corporal Kelly. Despite being injured, Corporal Kelly managed to return fire and shield himself behind the guard rail until the threat was gone and his fellow Trooper was safe. After Clary fled the scene, Corporal Kelly assessed his injuries and gauged he’d been shot close to his femoral artery. Using a personal tourniquet he started carrying just a few months earlier; Corporal Kelly saved his own life. The IACP and Motorola Solutions 2017 Trooper of the Year – Corporal Seth Kelly.