Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Chad Key was struck and killed by a drunk driver while directing traffic at the intersection of U.S. Highway 82 and Bethany Road shortly before 10:30 pm.
The driver who struck him failed to stop but was arrested a short distance away. The subject was a habitual drunk driver who was out on a bond on a previous drunk driving arrest.
The subject was convicted of felony murder and aggravated assault. He was subsequently sentenced to 99 years in prison with both charges running concurrently; he is eligible for parole in 2044.
Deputy Key had served as a patrol deputy for only two months and as a Corrections Officer with the Grayson County Sheriff's Office for 3-1/2 years. Survivors include his wife and three sons. A portion of U.S. Highway 82 was renamed the "Chad Key Highway" in 2015.
Survivors
Survivors include his wife and three sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-A8159F72- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Key gave the Grayson County Sheriff's Office 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Sherman community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Key.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Chad Christian Key is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In TX, 1,463 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Grayson County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 6 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. Chad Christian Key's cause is highlighted.
How Chad Christian Key Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 99 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Chad Christian Key is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Chad Christian Key was killed by automobile; alcohol involved.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Grayson County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
