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This article is about Tom Keller, who resides in Riverdale. You may be looking for his Rivervale counterpart, Tom Keller (Rivervale).

Don't lie to me, boy. Betty was here earlier, looking for you. We had a talk about what you've been doing. With everything that's going on right now, I need to know you're safe. You hear me? You hear me? I know that there's certain things that we don't talk about, maybe its time that we start trying. Okay? Okay son.
— Tom to Kevin[src]

Thomas "Tom" Keller is a recurring character on The CW's Riverdale. He is portrayed by Martin Cummins.

He is the father of Kevin Keller and the re-instated sheriff of Riverdale. He initially resigned from the position following the return of the Black Hood, who many believed was the deceased Joseph Svenson. However, after learning that Jellybean Jones was the Auteur, he was re-instated by Hiram, and with help from FP, Jughead, and Archie, found Jellybean's accomplices.

Early Life[]

Tom grew up in Riverdale and attended Riverdale High School and was friend with Hiram Lodge, Marty Mantle, Hal Cooper, and Darryl Doiley. Tom was also a member of the RROTC during high school. During which time, he began dating Sierra Samules but their families weren't keen on their relationship due to racial prejudices. Tom and his friends joined The Midnight Club, a group that included Tom's girlfriend Sierra, Fred Andrews, FP Jones, Alice Smith, Penelope Blossom, and Hermione Gomez. They used to role-play Gryphons and Gargoyles together before making a pact to never do it ever again after the game turned murderous. [1] After graduation, Tom joined the US army and eventually law enforcement getting promoted to sheriff of Riverdale. At some point, Tom married a yet to be named woman who is stationed at a Naval Base in Bahrain. They have an only child, Kevin.

Throughout Riverdale[]

Physical Appearance[]

Sheriff Keller is a middle-aged man of average stature, around 5' 9" in height. He has tan skin, grey hair and hazel eyes. He also has a tattoo on his left arm. Along with his other physical features, Keller has a muscular physique that he maintains by working out which he claims he does not do for vanity, but for discipline and to push his limits.[2] When not wearing a sheriff's uniform, Tom favors practical, casual clothes in a style similar to his friend Fred Andrews; plaid flannel shirts, V-neck shirts, jeans, and boots. He often wears his aviation-inspired leather jacket.

Personality[]

Sheriff Keller seems to be very serious about his work when it comes to obtaining the law, even though many of his fellow citizens criticize his investigative skills. FP Jones, for example, told Joaquin DeSantos that Archie and the Gang were more likely to find out Jason Blossom's killer for which he gained the moniker of "Sheriff Clueless" from Cheryl Blossom. However, Tom turned out to be a good sheriff and upstanding citizen who fought those who tried to destroy the town, mainly Hiram Lodge.

An easygoing man, Tom didn't lose hope when he was thrown out of his job due to political agenda. He also went to great lengths to help Archie keep the Andrews Construction business afloat following Fred's death and also training him in boxing at the El Royale Gym. Tom is a loyal friend and caring partner, supporting his partner, then second wife Sierra, and her daughter, Josie, who he knew all her life in their newly formed family.

Tom's best-known trait is his relationship with Kevin. Tom is for all intents and purposes a single father, since the wife from whom he later divorces is stationed abroad. Unlike his ex-wife, Tom is accepting and supporting his only son, Kevin, and encourages him to find "any nice gay guys at school." The only time Tom turned out to be disappointed – but mostly concerned – in his son was when he found out, through Betty, that he cruised Fox Forest. In addition, while Black Hood was on the loose attacking people. Initially there was not much dialogue between father and son about sexuality, but this scare changed things by making them even closer.

Relationships[]

Sierra McCoy[]

RD-Caps-2x07-Tales-from-the-Darkside-156-Sheriff-Keller-Mayor-Sierra-McCoy-kissing

Tom Keller and Sierra McCoy kissing

Initially, the relationship between Tom and Sierra appeared to be strictly business. With him being the town's Sheriff and Sierra being the Mayor, it was perfectly normal to see the two together, however, due to them spending a lot of time with each other and their prior relationship during their high school years, at an unknown point, they started to redevelop romantic feelings for one another and began having an affair. With Sierra's distant relationship with her now ex-husband, Myles McCoy, and Tom's absentee wife, the two grew closer, thus leading to their current relationship and rekindling their high school relationship.

Kevin Keller[]

RD-Caps-2x03-The-Watcher-in-the-Woods-136-Kevin-Sheriff-Keller

Kevin and Tom hugging after having a deep and emotional conversation with each other

Tom and Kevin share a close bond. When Tom became aware of his son's sexual orientation, he was very accepting and supportive of Kevin. Due to the threats constantly facing their town, they have a lack of interaction, but they obviously care for one another. After receiving word of Kevin's activities in the woods from Betty, Tom became more worried about his son's safety, admitting that there were certain things, such as Kevin's sexuality, that they never fully talked about. However, given all that was occurring, Tom was willing to start trying to be more involved in Kevin's life, as a concerned parent. Tom was also very supportive of Kevin's relationship to Fangs Fogarty despite him being a member of the Southside Serpents thought out all the ten years they were together, and taking back Kevin into their family home when the wedding was off.

Appearances[]

Season 1[]

Season 2[]

Season 3[]

Season 4[]

Season 5[]

Season 6[]

Season 7[]

Trivia[]

  • In the Archie Comics, Thomas Keller is a US Army Colonel. He is married to Kathy, and they have three children – Kevin, Denise and Patty. Due to his work, the family moved around the world before settling in Honesdale and then in Riverdale during Kevin's junior year.

Gallery[]

See also: Category:Images of Tom Keller

References[]

  1. Williams, Tessa Leigh (writer) & Wilkinson, Dawn (director) (October 31, 2018). "Chapter Thirty-Nine: The Midnight Club". Riverdale. Season 3. Episode 4. The CW.
  2. DeWille, James (writer) & Wilkinson, Dawn (director) (November 29, 2017). "Chapter Twenty: Tales from the Darkside". Riverdale. Season 2. Episode 7. The CW.
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