Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Marion Key was shot and killed while investigating a domestic disturbance on McAfee Street, NW. Officer Key and his partner responded to a home where a man was threatening to kill his family. As they walked into the dark house, the man opened fire. Both officers returned fire. Officer Key's partner was critically wounded but managed to crawl back to his car and radioed for help before losing consciousness. Officers arriving on the scene found Officer Key and the gunman, 53, dead in the house. Officer Key's partner's left leg had to be amputated. On his days off, he was building a home for himself and his wife. They were living with her parents. A contractor and several Atlanta citizens finished the house for free. Six years after Officer Key's murder, the suspect's brother murdered Policeman William McCown, of the Cedartown Police Department, on July 31, 1954.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-GA-A3D5DA5A- 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.
Police Officer Key served with the Atlanta Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Atlanta community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Key.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Marion H. 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 GA, 548 of 903 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.7% of this state's fallen. That is 6.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Atlanta Police Department, 58 of 88 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 65.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Marion H. Key's cause is highlighted.
How Marion H. Key Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Marion H. Key is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Marion H. Key was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
87 officers from Atlanta Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
