Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Troy Key, Deputy Sheriff Glendal Archer, and Sheriff Douglas Batey were shot and killed in McDougal as they attempted to serve a warrant for assault with intent to kill. As they exited their vehicles in the suspect's driveway, the man opened fire with a 12-gauge shotgun. Sheriff Batey and Deputy Archer were killed instantly. Deputy Key succumbed to his wounds 10 days later. A fourth responding officer found the suspect sitting on the tailgate of his truck and arrested him without incident. He was convicted of three counts of first degree murder and sentenced to life. He died in prison March 12th, 1984. Deputy Key had served with the Clay County Sheriff's Department for four years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AR-DCFAAF48- 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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Troy is one person.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Key gave the Clay County Sheriff's Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Piggott 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
Military Service
Troy Key served in the U.S. Army (1944â1946) before joining law enforcement.
Deputy Sheriff Troy Key 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 AR, 249 of 372 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.9% of this state's fallen. That is 66.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Clay County Sheriff's Department, 4 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Troy Key's cause is highlighted.
How Troy Key Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Troy Key is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Troy Key was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Military Service
Troy Key served in the U.S. Army (1944–1946) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Troy Key’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Clay County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
