Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Benjamin Keith was fatally wounded as he confronted a fugitive who was wanted for murdering a boy in neighboring Fannin County.
When Sheriff Keith ordered the fugitive to halt and surrender himself, the fugitive opened fire, striking Sheriff Keith in the abdomen.
In spite of his injury, Sheriff Keith was able to complete the arrest and escort the shooter to Spring Place jail. Shortly afterwards, his condition worsened, and he succumbed to his wounds five days later.
Sheriff Keith's killer, age 31, was convicted of murder in at least two separate trials and was sentenced to death. However, shortly before the date he was scheduled to be hanged, the governor commuted his sentence to life in prison. He escaped from prison on Christmas Day 1923.
Sheriff Keith was survived by his parents, siblings, wife, and three children.
Survivors
Sheriff Keith was survived by his parents, siblings, wife, and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-1704EB38- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Keith served with the Murray County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Chatsworth community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Keith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Benjamin Cleveland Keith is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In GA, 549 of 905 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.7% of this state's fallen. That is 60.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Murray County Sheriff's Office, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Benjamin Cleveland Keith's cause is highlighted.
How Benjamin Cleveland Keith Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Benjamin Cleveland Keith is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Benjamin Cleveland Keith was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Murray County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
