Roll of Honor
Incident
Town Marshal Hugh Keller was shot and killed by his deputy marshal without provocation.
The two had been inside one of the town's businesses speaking cordially. Upon walking onto the street the deputy marshal suddenly pulled his revolver and shot at Marshal Keller twice, striking him once and fatally wounding him.
The deputy marshal, 43, turned himself in on the day of Marshal Keller's funeral. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. He was paroled on July 25, 1935. The motive remains a mystery.
Marshal Keller had served as the marshal of Mount Airy for one year but had previously served with the Habersham County Sheriff's Office for many years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and 10 children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-484F8A6A- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Town Marshal Keller served with the Mount Airy Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Mount Airy community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Town Marshal Keller.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Town Marshal Hughey Anderson Keller is one of 17,559 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,587 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 6.8 percentage points above the national rate of 53.9%.
At Mount Airy Police Department, 3 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Hughey Anderson Keller's cause is highlighted.
How Hughey Anderson Keller Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Hughey Anderson Keller is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Hughey Anderson Keller was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Mount Airy Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
