Roll of Honor
Incident
Town Marshal Joe Keith was shot and killed while attempting to arrest four men who were causing a disturbance in town.
The men had been in town all afternoon and started driving a buggy recklessly down the town's main street while firing their pistols. Marshal Keith was called and began to chase them on horseback as they fled along the railroad tracks. He caught one of the men and turned him over to a citizen before continuing his chase of the others.
When he caught up to the others and demanded they surrender they opened fire, killing him.
Two of the men were arrested several days later and the other two were arrested several weeks later. On August 20, 1891, all four were acquitted.
On behalf of the Alabama Chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors, we will be honoring you May 2, 2026, at our annual Candlelight Vigil in Anniston, AL. You will be represented by your department. You will never be forgotten.
Cindy Hatcher, Secretary AL C.O.P.S. Mother of fallen officer, David Curtis, EOW 6/29/2010 March 9th, 2026
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-AL-72CEC07A- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
136 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Town Marshal Keith served with the Childersburg Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Childersburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Town Marshal Joe 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 AL, 405 of 643 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63% of this state's fallen. That is 63 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Childersburg Police Department, 3 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joe Keith's cause is highlighted.
How Joe Keith Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joe Keith is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Childersburg Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
