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Incident
Sheriff David Crawford succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained several days earlier while attempting to serve a warrant on a man in Harrison.
The man was wanted for a gambling violation, but was also a suspect in two murders. Sheriff Crawford and a county bailiff learned the man was at a general store in downtown Harrison. When they arrived at the store the owner pointed out the wanted man to them. To avoid a confrontation inside the store, Sheriff Crawford decided to wait on the front porch. Seeing Sheriff Crawford out front, the man fired a single shot at him, striking him in the back.
As the man ran from the scene the bailiff shot him in the leg. Despite the wound, the man was able to flee. He was arrested by a posse the following day and taken to jail. After Sheriff Crawford's death two days later, a mob of several hundred men broke into the Johnson County Jail, seized the man, hanged him, and then shot him more than 500 times.
Sheriff Crawford had served as the Johnson County Sheriff for less than two months.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Crawford served with the Johnson County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Wrightsville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Crawford.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Johnson County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
David is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
David is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
David 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 1903, 2 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 90th heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 1903, 103 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 50th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1903, 106 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 57th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
David was 45. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. David had served 0.1 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
David was 45. 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. David had served 0.1 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
David was 45. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. David had served 0.1 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 9.1% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 10.6%. Saturdays: 20.6%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Johnson County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was handgun; .38 caliber, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.7% of all 905 deaths in GA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .38 caliber, in 0.5% 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 handgun; .38 caliber, in 0.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .38 caliber, in 0.7% of these deaths.
His people
Johnson County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, David among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Johnson County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.