Pennsylvania State Police Cpl. Seth Kelly has been named Trooper of the Year for 2017 by the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the organization announced on its website, making him the first officer from the Lehigh Valley to win the award.
Kelly was shot and seriously injured in a gun battle with a driver on Nov. 7 on Route 33 in Plainfield Township. Kelly went to the scene to assist Trooper Ryan Seiple with a traffic stop. Police said the driver was initially told he could go, but when he asked a question again, the troopers suspected he was under the influence of a controlled substance.
The driver failed a sobriety test and a struggle ensued, police said. The suspect then grabbed a gun form his vehicle and exchanged gunfire with the troopers, according to police.
Kelly was shot and after the suspect fled, Kelly applied a tourniquet to himself to control the bleeding from his leg, which was injured near his femoral artery, police said. Officials later said he likely saved his own life by using the tourniquet.
“To be chosen as the winner from such an outstanding group of finalists from around the country is a testament to the heroic and brave acts performed on Nov. 7th by both Cpl. Kelly and Trooper Ryan Seiple,” said state police Capt. Richard D’Ambrosio, commander of Troop M in Bethlehem.
Kelly was in a medically induced coma for 12 days, according to the International Association of Chiefs of Police. The suspect in Kelly’s shooting awaits trial.
The organization said they named Kelly the “Motorola Solutions” trooper of the year on Friday and made the announcement Monday. Kelly was nominated by the state police commissioner and is the first trooper from the Lehigh Valley to win the award, according to the organization.
“Congratulations to our 2017 Trooper of the Year Corporal Seth Kelly,” said IACP President Louis M. Dekmar, Chief of Police, LaGrange Police Department, in a written statement. “IACP is proud to honor your courage, professionalism, and dedication to your community.”
D’Ambrosio said Kelly’s health has been improving and he is hoping to return to work at the state police barracks in Belfast.
