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Incident
Patrolman Lee Crews was shot and killed during a struggle with a burglary suspect. He had responded to a local restaurant for a burglar alarm on Ashley Street and observed a person flee the scene. He chased that person into a nearby parking lot, and a struggle ensued. The perpetrator gained control of Patrolman Crews' service weapon and shot him. The man fled to Detroit, Michigan, where he was captured. He was returned to Georgia, where he was sentenced to life in prison. Patrolman Crews was a United States Army veteran and had served with the Valdosta Police Department for 6 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two sons, two brothers, and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Lee is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Crews gave the Valdosta Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Valdosta community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Lee Anthony Crews served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Valdosta Police Department has lost 5 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Lee is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
Lee is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Lee is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1984, 3 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 1984, 91 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1984, 104 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Lee was 27. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Lee had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Lee was 27. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Lee had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Lee was 27. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Lee had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 7.1% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 10.6%. Tuesdays: 13.1%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 60% of all 5 deaths at Valdosta Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's 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 officer's handgun, in 6.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Valdosta Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, Lee among them.
Where
Military Service
Lee Anthony Crews served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit Lee Anthony Crews’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 46-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Valdosta Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
