Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Key was shot and killed after responding to a shoplifting call. Upon arrival to the scene he was informed that the suspect was involved in a minor traffic accident. He located the suspect and ordered him out of his vehicle at gunpoint after several request for him to exit the car. As Patrolman Key began searching the suspect, the man spun around and shot Patrolman Key in the leg with a 9 mm handgun. Patrolman Key was able to return fire, striking the suspect. The two men then positioned themselves on opposite sides a truck and had a shootout where Patrolman Key shot the suspect in the legs and waist, instead of in the chest, in attempt to wound the man. Patrolman Key's weapon jammed and the man jumped on top of the truck and shot him. The suspect, 26, was apprehended by responding officers and subsequently sentenced to life in prison. In 1980 he was granted a new trial. The result of is unknown.
Survivors
Patrolman Key had been with the agency for three years and is survived by his wife, three sons, and three daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MS-1EE7ACF6- 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.
Patrolman Key gave the Hernando Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hernando community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Key.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Rory Welch 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 MS, 242 of 349 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.3% of this state's fallen. That is 15.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Rory Welch Key's cause is highlighted.
How Rory Welch Key Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Rory Welch Key is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Rory Welch Key was killed by handgun; 9 mm.