Boston, September 14, 2025
News Summary
Boston Police Officer Kelly Dever has resigned, effective September 1, following her controversial testimony in the retrial of Karen Read. Dever claimed to have experienced a false memory regarding her initial statements about the incident involving the death of fellow officer John O’Keefe. The department’s personnel order confirmed her resignation but did not disclose further details, raising questions about potential disciplinary actions and the credibility of previous cases connected to her.
Boston — Boston Police Officer Kelly Dever resigned from the police department, with her resignation taking effect on September 1, 2025. The department issued a personnel order confirming the resignation but did not disclose the circumstances behind it. Dever had been on family medical leave prior to leaving the force.
Key developments
The resignation follows controversial testimony Dever gave as a defense witness in the retrial of Karen Read, who was tried in connection with the death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe. Dever did not testify in the first trial but was called during the retrial, where she said she had experienced a false memory related to her initial statements to federal investigators about the incident.
City payroll records show Dever earned a total of $143,561.65 in pay last year. The personnel order released by the department did not include details about any disciplinary actions or internal reviews tied to her resignation.
What Dever testified and why it mattered
During the retrial, Dever initially told investigators she had seen an ATF agent and a former Canton police chief in proximity to the SUV involved in the case. She later retracted that statement after being presented with a timeline indicating it was not possible for her to have witnessed the events she had described. That retraction and Dever’s acknowledgement of a false memory prompted defense counsel to challenge her credibility and seek her placement on the Brady list, which records officers whose credibility may affect prosecutions.
Defense counsel asserted that Dever’s statements undermined her reliability as an officer and urged that cases involving her be reviewed. Following the announcement of her resignation, the same defense counsel characterized the resignation as appropriate in light of the credibility concerns raised during testimony.
Impact on the Read retrial and broader scrutiny
The retrial concluded with Karen Read being acquitted of second-degree murder and manslaughter charges but convicted of driving under the influence. Prosecutors had alleged that Read backed over O’Keefe with her SUV and left him exposed to freezing conditions in the front yard of a Canton home, resulting in his death on January 29, 2022.
Dever’s testimony also contributed to scrutiny of Boston Police leadership. Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox initially stated he was not aware of Dever’s involvement in the Read case. Dever subsequently testified that the commissioner had instructed her to tell the truth at the retrial, a claim that contradicted the earlier assertion of ignorance and intensified public and institutional attention on the matter.
Department response and disclosure limits
The police department confirmed the resignation through a routine personnel order but declined to elaborate on the reasons or whether any internal investigations, disciplinary proceedings, or case reviews were underway as a result of Dever’s testimony. The limited disclosure leaves open questions about any administrative actions that may follow.
Legal and procedural implications
Calls for placing Dever on the Brady list stem from the legal obligation to disclose information that could impeach a witness’s credibility. If the department or prosecutors update Brady-related records, past cases in which Dever was a material witness or officer of record could be subject to review to determine whether undisclosed information affected trial outcomes.
At present, there has been no public announcement of expanded reviews of prior cases tied to Dever beyond statements made by defense counsel urging such steps.
Background on the case
John O’Keefe, a Boston police officer, died on January 29, 2022. The subsequent investigation and prosecution of Karen Read led to an initial trial followed by a retrial. Dever’s involvement emerged only in the retrial, when she appeared as a defense witness and described having a false memory about observations she initially reported to federal investigators. The retrial verdict cleared Read of the most serious charges while finding her guilty of driving under the influence.
What remains unresolved
Key unresolved items include whether the department will take any formal administrative action tied to Dever’s testimony, whether she will be added to any officer credibility lists, and whether prosecutors will initiate reviews of past cases in which she participated. The personnel order announcing her resignation provides confirmation of departure but offers no further detail.
FAQ
Why did Kelly Dever resign?
The resignation became effective September 1, 2025. The police department issued a personnel order confirming her departure but did not disclose the specific reasons. Her resignation followed controversy over her retrial testimony in the Karen Read case.
What did Dever say during the retrial?
Dever testified that she experienced a false memory about initial statements to federal investigators. She initially reported seeing certain individuals near the vehicle involved in the incident and later retracted that observation after a timeline showed she could not have witnessed it.
How did Dever’s testimony affect the Read retrial?
Her testimony prompted challenges to her credibility and led defense counsel to seek her inclusion on the Brady list. The retrial ultimately resulted in acquittal on murder and manslaughter charges and a conviction for driving under the influence.
What is the Brady list?
The Brady list is a record used by prosecutors to track law enforcement officers whose credibility may undermine prosecutions, requiring disclosure of such concerns to defense teams.
Will past cases involving Dever be reviewed?
Defense counsel has requested reviews of cases where Dever was a material witness, but there has been no public announcement of a systematic review by prosecutors or the department at this time.
What did the police department say?
The department confirmed the resignation through a personnel order but did not provide additional details about any disciplinary actions or investigations related to Dever’s testimony.
Key facts at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Resignation effective | September 1, 2025 |
| Officer | Kelly Dever |
| Previous payroll (most recent year) | $143,561.65 |
| Leave status before resignation | Family medical leave |
| Involvement in case | Testified for defense in Karen Read retrial; did not testify in the first trial |
| Key testimony issue | Acknowledged a false memory and retracted an earlier observational statement |
| Read retrial outcome | Acquitted of second-degree murder and manslaughter; convicted of driving under the influence |
| Date of death (John O’Keefe) | January 29, 2022 |
| Department disclosure | Personnel order confirmed resignation; no further details released |
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Additional Resources
- NBC Boston
- Boston Herald
- Boston.com
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Brady List
- Google Search: Boston Police Resignation
Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.
