Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Michael Crawshaw was shot and killed in an ambush while responding to a call in the 200 block of Johnston Road. He had been the first officer to arrive on the scene and had parked two houses away to wait for backup.
As he waited he reported to dispatchers that he heard gunfire from inside the home and he then unholstered his weapon. Moments later a suspect exited the home and immediately opened fire with an AK-47, fatally striking Patrolman Crawshaw several times as he was still sitting in his patrol car.
The suspect fled the scene but was apprehended a short time later. A preliminary investigation determined the suspect had gone to the home to collect on a drug debt and had murdered an occupant of the home prior to opening fire on Patrolman Crawshaw. In January 2013, the suspect was convicted of first degree murder for murdering the occupant of the home and second degree murder for the murder of Patrolman Crawshaw.
Patrolman Crawshaw had served with the Penn Hills Police Department for two and a half years. He had previously served with the University of Pittsburgh Police Department for four years.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-752E6514- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Crawshaw gave the Penn Hills Township Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Penn Hills community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Crawshaw.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Michael James Crawshaw is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,787 officers honored here.
In PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 47.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Penn Hills Township Police Department, 3 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Michael James Crawshaw's cause is highlighted.
How Michael James Crawshaw Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Michael James Crawshaw is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Michael James Crawshaw was killed by rifle; ak-47.
Incident Location
Where the Name Is Cut
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Penn Hills Township Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
