Holly MatkinAtlantic Highlands, NJ – Union Beach Police Department (UBPD) Detective Corporal Timothy “Tim” Kelly died in an off-duty crash on July 17.
The 29-year-old detective corporal was traveling westbound on Route 36 when his 2010 Honda Civic slammed into a telephone pole near Grand Avenue shortly before 2 a.m., NJ.com reported.
“Patrols attempted lifesaving efforts but the driver, later identified as Timothy W. Kelly Jr., was pronounced deceased on scene by paramedics,” Atlantic Highlands Police Department (AHPD) Public Information Officer Captain Harry Murtha told the Northern Monmouth County Edition.
The investigation into the exact cause of the fatal collision remained ongoing.
UBPD Chief Michael Woodrow announced Det. Cpl. Kelly’s death in a press release later that morning.
“It is with the heaviest of heart to announce the untimely passing of Detective Corporal Timothy Kelly, Jr. who was tragically killed in an off-duty motor vehicle crash,” Chief Woodrow wrote. “Det. Cpl. Kelly was a rising star in the Union Beach Police Department, having been involved in many high profile and sensitive special operations with the FBI, DEA, MCPO, and BTF.”
Det. Cpl. Woodrow, a five-year veteran of the department, is the son of retired UBPD Sergeant Timothy Kelly, the chief noted.
He joined the police department after graduating from the University of Alabama with a double major in criminal justice and history.
“Timothy was a loving son, grandson, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend,” his obituary read. “He will be deeply missed and never forgotten.”
Det. Cpl. Kelly leaves behind his parents, as well as his siblings, grandparents, nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles, cousins, and many extended family members and friends.
He was laid to rest on July 21.
We mourn the sudden passing of our brother officer, Detective Corporal Timothy Kelly, Jr. of the Union Beach Police. He was tragically killed in an off-duty motor vehicle crash overnight. The 5-year veteran was a rising star. He was only 29. Pray for his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/YzX80FVWkE
— New Jersey State PBA (@NJSPBA) July 17, 2022
Union Beach Police Department Officer Timothy Kelly was patrolling our many parks today and stopped by one in particular (Jack Pinto Park) to answer many serious life questions from our curious residents… pic.twitter.com/H5BItzwIvo
— unionbeachpolice (@unionbeachpoli1) September 8, 2019
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Union Beach Police Department Detective Corporal Timothy “Tim” Kelly, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
Sandy Malone
