DENHAM SPRINGS, La. — Local leaders, law enforcement officials, and family members gathered Monday morning to dedicate memorial highway signs honoring Corporal Shawn Kelly, a Denham Springs police officer killed in the line of duty in 2023.
A section of South Range Avenue, between Rushing Road and Florida Boulevard, has been officially renamed Corporal Shawn Kelly Memorial Boulevard. The ceremony included the unveiling of signs marking the renamed stretch of roadway, which passes near the location where Kelly was fatally shot.
"Today was a meaningful day as we honored Cpl. Shawn Kelly," the Denham Springs Police Department stated on Facebook following the ceremony. Chief Rodney Walker, along with department members and Kelly's family, gathered to unveil the memorial signs.
In attendance were Mayor Gerard Landry, Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard, Parish President Randy Delatte, Marshal Joe Shumate, and State Representative Roger Wilder, who sponsored the legislation to rename the road.
Cpl. Shawn Kelly's widow, Megan Kelly, spoke about her husband's dedication to Denham Springs and what the memorial means to their family.
"He always wanted to improve his hometown and work to make it better," she said.
Kelly thanked State Representative Roger Wilder and the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development for their work on the project.
"He deserves this honor because he gave his life for Denham Springs," she added.
"As of today, South Range Avenue between Rushing Road and Florida Boulevard, is hereby designated (with signage) as 'Corporal Shawn Kelly Memorial Boulevard,'" Wilder wrote on social media. "I'd like to extend a personal thank you to the family of Corporal Kelly, knowing the incredible sacrifice they have made, for allowing our community to take part in honoring Shawn."
The state legislature officially approved the renaming in June 2025, clearing the way for Monday's dedication ceremony.
Parish President Randy Delatte reflected on the significance of the memorial, emphasizing Kelly's sacrifice and the broader commitment of law enforcement officers.
"Standing beside Shawn's family, fellow officers, and local leaders, you could feel the weight of what that name means, a reminder that freedom and safety in our communities come at a cost," Delatte wrote. "Cpl. Kelly didn't just wear a badge. He lived the warrior ethos. When a call for help came, he ran toward it."
Kelly, 53, died on June 2, 2023, twenty-two days after being shot while responding to a disturbance call at the Spring Park Plaza shopping center on South Range Avenue on May 11, 2023. When officers arrived at the scene, 30-year-old Justin Roberts opened fire, striking Kelly multiple times. Roberts fled the scene but was later shot and killed by a Livingston Parish Sheriff's deputy after approaching the deputy while armed.
Kelly had served with the Denham Springs Police Department for four years and had a total of 29 years in law enforcement, having previously worked with the Louisiana Department of Corrections and other state agencies. He was the second Denham Springs police officer to die in the line of duty.
"My sincere gratitude also goes out to the men and women of the Denham Springs Police Department and ALL law enforcement personnel who continue to serve bravely and put their lives on the line for us each and every day," Wilder added. "Corporal Kelly's courage and service cannot and will not be forgotten."
The Denham Springs Police Department expressed appreciation to all who made the memorial dedication possible, particularly thanking Representative Wilder for his efforts in securing the official designation.
"To the Denham Springs Police Department, to Shawn's family, and to every man and woman who continues to answer the call: We see you. We honor you. And we will never forget the price that's been paid for our peace," Delatte concluded.
Kelly is survived by his wife, Megan, four children, two daughters, a son, a niece, and four nephews.
