Wife of fallen officer asks public to move over for first responders

HUTTO, Texas (FOX 7 Austin) - Michele Kelley remembers the day she heard the news about her husband.

“He was killed in the line of duty on June 24, 2015,” said Kelley.

Sergeant Chris Kelley, had been hit after a suspect tried to flee a scene in his own patrol car. “They sacrifice a lot. In doing so, the family sacrifices a lot,” said Kelley.

Michele met Chris back in 1999 while they both served in the Air Force.

He told her then, how much he wanted to serve his community as a police officer.

“It was just in his blood. He knew it from a little boy. His father was a police officer. So he looked up to his dad in every way. His dad was in the military as well. So Chris did both as well,” said Kelley.

It's a sacrifice thousands of officers are willing to make each day.

Over the past week, Central Texas almost lost two cops. Officer Claudia Cormier of San Marcos lost her leg last weekend after a suspected drunk driver hit her while working a scene. Just days later, a Liberty Hill officer was hit by a motorcyclist who was leaving a traffic stop.

Officers are expected to be out in strong numbers this Memorial Day weekend.

The public is being reminded to obey the move over law to avoid hitting a first responder.

Since Kelley's death, the city has dedicated a road and called it Chris Kelley Blvd. Michele also started the Chris Kelley Foundation. She hopes by celebrating his life each year with their 5k run, Kelley's legacy of service will remain alive in Hutto, and beyond.

“For the Hutto PD this was a tragic event, and since then and even before then, we have really worked to take care of our officers and support them,” said Emily Parks, public information officer.

To learn more about the Chris Kelley Foundation, click here.

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