Steven M.
Kelley

Traffic Stop / Sten MK II Machine-Gun Recovery

A contemporary newspaper account reports that State Police had received information that a Houston, Texas man possessed an illegal weapon. Trooper Steven Kelley later spotted the man's 1977 van on Washington Street in Waterloo and stopped it. During an arrest for second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation, Kelley requested permission to search the van; the driver consented and pointed out a case containing a disassembled British Sten MK II machine gun.

The article states that the barrel packaged with the gun was plugged, making the weapon inoperable in that configuration, but Kelley subsequently found a workable barrel elsewhere in the van. The driver was charged with third-degree criminal possession of a weapon and additional drug-related offenses.

Source distinction: the newspaper credits State Police Investigator Richard Chapin with the prior tip information and Kelley with locating and stopping the van, requesting and receiving consent to search, and finding the workable barrel.

Three Dangerous-Drug Arrests

Zone II Commander Frank B. Benosky recognized Kelley for making three Dangerous Drug Arrests during the week of March 6, 1988. The letter described drug elimination as a high-priority objective and praised his motivation and police work.

Lost Camera Recovery — Service Beyond Enforcement

A Canadian visitor wrote to thank Kelley for the effort he made to recover and return a lost Canon 35mm camera after the visitor had already left New York. The Zone II Commander responded that Kelley was highly regarded at Troop E and placed the praise in his personnel file.

Privacy: the visitor's street address has been removed from the public copy.

Butler Shock Facility Escape Search Detail

Troop E commended Kelley for his work on the June 21 search detail in the Town of Huron for two escapees from the Butler Shock Facility. The letter notes favorable comments from State Police supervisors and assisting-agency supervisors, calling his conduct professional and a credit to the State Police.

Interagency Assistance — Difficult & Violent Defendant

A three-document packet records Kelley and Trooper Frank Schmitter responding to assist Seneca County Sheriff's deputies with a violent defendant at Fayette Town Court. The sheriff's sergeant credited their assistance with preventing injuries and additional damage; Sheriff Thomas J. Cleere praised the troopers' reputation and cooperation; and the NYSP Superintendent directed that the recognition be placed in the troopers' personnel jackets.

Narcotics Investigation — Marijuana & Currency Seizure

The Troop E Commander commended Kelley for initiating and contributing to a proactive narcotics investigation after receiving information that large quantities of marijuana were being sold. The investigation resulted in two arrests, seizure of more than 2½ pounds of marijuana, and more than $16,000 in currency.

Privacy: Kelley's former street address has been removed from the public copy.

16-Hour Barricaded-Subject Standoff

Kelley was commended for his role during a 16-hour barricaded-subject incident that began after a shooting and hostage situation. The letter describes extended negotiations, an armed confrontation, and the Troop E Commander's appreciation for the hours of duty and professionalism displayed during the standoff.

STOP-DWI Certificate of Appreciation

Seneca County's STOP-DWI Program presented Kelley with a Certificate of Appreciation for dedicated service to the county program.

Second STOP-DWI Certificate of Appreciation

A second consecutive Seneca County STOP-DWI Certificate of Appreciation recognized Kelley's continued dedicated service to the program in 1993.

Kali Poulton Missing-Person Investigation

Separate letters from the Troop E Commander and Monroe County Sheriff Andrew P. Meloni recognize Kelley's participation in the prolonged, multi-agency search for Kali Poulton. The sheriff described the case as one of the largest investigations in Monroe County history and praised Kelley's cooperation, dedication, professionalism, effort, and participation.

Source note: the two original letters state Kali's age differently. The website preserves each document as written rather than attempting to reconcile that discrepancy.

Defensive Tactics Instruction for DMV Investigators

A New York State Department of Motor Vehicles letter thanked the State Police and specifically recognized Troopers Frank Schmitter and Steve Kelley for providing Defensive Tactics instruction to DMV investigators at a July 16 in-service session at the Town of Greece Police Department. The letter praised the presentation, expertise, and professionalism.

Sheriff's Department Training — Crowd Control & Defensive Tactics

Seneca County Sheriff Thomas H. Fox thanked the State Police for allowing Kelley, Trooper Doverspike, and Trooper Schmitter to assist the Sheriff's Department with training in crowd control and defensive tactics. He described their knowledge as outstanding, their instruction as professional, and asked that the recognition be placed in their personnel files.

No Sick Leave Used During 1997

The Superintendent recognized Kelley as one of the employees who used no sick leave during 1997 and complimented his dedication to duty, personal commitment to the agency, and contribution to the State Police tradition of public service.

New York State Fair Storm Response

After a devastating September 7 storm struck the New York State Fair, the detail commander commended Kelley for assisting with care of the injured, securing the fairgrounds, evacuating more than 400 fair workers, and working with hundreds of State Police and emergency personnel during the recovery operation.

Major Sports-Gambling Investigation

The SIU commendation documents an investigation involving extensive physical surveillance, 13 pen registers and 15 eavesdropping installations. On March 28, 2000, 46 search warrants were executed. Seizures included $215,801 in U.S. currency, while probable cause was developed for IRS seizure of three financial accounts totaling approximately $474,000. Kelley's contribution was specifically commended.

Unlicensed Repair Shop / Vehicle-Identification Investigation

The Rochester Auto Theft Unit investigated an Addison repair shop operating without proper licensing. The investigation led to seizure of a stolen vehicle valued at $20,000, four additional vehicles valued at $16,000, and six more vehicles valued at $4,400 that lacked public VINs or identification paperwork. The case produced a 27-count Steuben County Grand Jury indictment.

NYACT Instructor - Altered Vehicle Identification Numbers

The Advanced Auto Crime Investigation Seminar program lists Investigator Steven Kelley, New York State Police, as a presenter for Altered Vehicle Identification Numbers. The instructor biography documents his Special Investigation/Auto Theft Unit assignment, major auto-theft and insurance-fraud investigations, outside-agency assistance with vehicle identification and training, and certified-instructor background.

Two Consecutive Weeks - 5 Drug Arrests + 2 DWI Arrests

Two separate Troop E commendations document consecutive weeks of enforcement: two drug arrests and one DWI arrest during April 11-17, followed by three drug arrests and one DWI arrest during April 18-24.

Thefts From Vehicles / Stolen-Handgun Investigation

The newspaper documents a theft investigation involving hunters' vehicles, a stolen .357 handgun, bank photographs, vehicle-identification work, arrests, admissions and recovery of stolen property.

Kelley states that his investigative role included vehicle make/model/year-range identification from bank images, specialized NYSPIN narrowing of possible vehicles, development of suspect identification through a registered-owner canvass, confessions from the two theft suspects, and preparation and execution of the search warrant that recovered the stolen handgun and led to an additional arrest.

Defensive Tactics Instructor - 190th Basic School

The NYSP Director of Training thanked Kelley for serving as a Defensive Tactics Instructor for members of the 190th Session of the New York State Police Basic School and commended his skill, commitment and enthusiasm as an instructor.

Troop E Commendation Award - 2005 Performance

A Troop E Commendation Award recognizes Kelley's dedication, diligence to duty and outstanding performance during 2005, stating that his commitment and professionalism were consistent with the finest traditions of the New York State Police.

New York State Fair - Above and Beyond

Assigned to the C Tour Headquarters Venue at the 2006 New York State Fair, Kelley handled responsibilities including defendant processing, visiting members and families, radio-system administration and incidents requiring attention. The Troop D Commander recognized him for going above and beyond.

J.C. Penney Theft - Pursuit, Foot Chase & Arrests

A statewide Superintendent's message documents a response to the theft of more than $5,800 in clothing. Kelley and Probationary Trooper Erin Barrett responded to assist Trooper Frank Schmitter during the pursuit. After the suspect vehicle became stuck, the occupants fled on foot and were apprehended after a short foot chase.

Memorial Day - Public Recognition for Professionalism & Courtesy

A citizen wrote to Troop E after meeting Kelley during Memorial Day activities in Waterloo, describing him as respectful, professional, courteous and an outstanding State Trooper. The Troop E Commander formally acknowledged the praise.

Privacy: the citizen's street address has been removed from the public website copy.

Child Support Enforcement - Sheriff Assistance

Child Support Enforcement thanked Kelley for assisting a Seneca County Sheriff's deputy during seizure of a vehicle for child-support arrears after the debtor became agitated. The letter describes Kelley as professional and courteous and states that his presence helped the seizure proceed safely and efficiently.

School Marijuana Investigation - Exceeds Standard

A supervisor rated Kelley's performance Exceeds Standard after he developed information concerning marijuana sales to students at Seneca Falls schools, conducted a vehicle stop and interview, prepared a search-warrant application, and participated with uniform and BCI personnel in executing the warrant, resulting in two arrests.