An announcement was made on Tuesday at the Commissioner’s Court that will honor the late Chad Key with the naming of a portion of US 82 in Sherman after him. Key was killed by drunk driver, Ricky Trent Stanley, Jr. on the night of April 20, 2013 on the particular portion of the highway that will now be named in his honor.
The portion named for him will be from Junction Road to Bethany Road on US 82 . About a year ago, Key’s widowed wife April said something her my mother and Lt. Ricky Wheeler at the Sheriffs Office that she wished they could name part of the highway after her late husband, since that’s where he was killed at. According to April Key, for the last year, Lt. Wheeler long with her month, the Grayson County Sheriffs office and Senator Larry Phillips were working on it.
“It was kept a surprise and I received a call last Thursday night that the County Commissioners were going to vote on it this morning.” April Key said on Tuesday. “So I was there this morning and it was a unanimous vote yes.”
Now TxDOT will make the signs and there will be an unveiling and dedication at a date to be determined.
“On behalf of me, our boys and the family, we are so honored and grateful that Chad is remembered everyday by so many people, and that he is being honored in such a huge way by naming part of Highway 82 after him.” April Key said in a released statement. “Thank you to everyone involved in making this happen, especially to Grayson County Sheriffs Office and Senator Larry Phillips.”
Stanley was sentenced to 99 years in prison for the felony murder, and 42 years for the first degree aggravated assault causing serious bodily harm to a public servant charge, along with fines totaling $20,000.
In April of this year, a 5K run at Loy Lake Park in which over 550 registered to run to benefit the scholarship fund in the name of Key. The run not only benefited the Chad Key Memorial Scholarship Fund, but also will benefit the Grayson County Police Academy and the Austin State Memorial for Fallen Officers. Half of the proceeds go to the scholarship fund and half will go to the memorial.
The event raised over $12,000 and is planned to be a annual event.
In irony of irony fashion, a young man with the last name of Key finished first in the race. Kasey Key of Denison.