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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
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Mount Airy Police Department has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Hughey is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
Hughey is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Hughey is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1924, 12 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 1924, 225 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1924, 228 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Hughey was 65. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38.
Hughey was 65. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Hughey was 65. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 10.6%. Saturdays: 20.6%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Mount Airy Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.7% of all 905 deaths in GA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Mount Airy Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Hughey among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 62-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Mount Airy Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
