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Incident
Location: District of Columbia Incident Date: Sunday, June 27, 1948 Weapon: Handgun Offender: Sentenced to 5 to 15 years
Private Fred Crenshaw succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained on June 27th, 1948, while assisting other officers with the arrest of several suspicious men on the grounds of the west front of the United States Capitol Building.
The other officers were searching for suspects involved in several recent robberies on the grounds and encountered the three men. Private Crenshaw was on duty at the House Office Building and had been relieved to take his break and get fresh air. As he was walking in the area the other officers asked him to take one of the men to the guardhouse at the Senate Office Building for further questioning. The other two men suddenly fled on foot and the other officers pursued them.
As Private Crenshaw walked the subject toward a callbox the man suddenly produced a pistol and shot him twice. Despite his wounds, Private Crenshaw returned fire but did not strike the subject.
When the officers returned to the guardhouse they discovered that Private Crenshaw had not arrived. They began searching for him and located him suffering from several gunshot wounds. He was taken to Casualty Hospital in critical condition with a bullet lodged near his spine. He never fully recovered and remained in declining health. He died from complications of the original gunshot wounds on January 5th, 1952.
The man who shot him was convicted of assault with intent to kill and was sentenced to five to 15 years in prison.
Private Crenshaw had served with the United States Capitol Police for two years. He was survived by his wife and six siblings. He was predeceased by his son.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and six siblings.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Private Crenshaw gave the United States Capitol Police 2 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Private Crenshaw.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
United States Capitol Police has lost 7 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Fred is one of 754 officers killed feloniously in DC, 53.1% of the 1,419 remembered there.
Fred is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Fred 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 1952, 4 officers in DC were killed feloniously, the 65th heaviest of 159 years on record. The heaviest was 1922, with 20.
In 1952, 71 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 100th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1952, 74 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 100th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Fred was 69. Of the 580 killed feloniously in DC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 44; the middle age was 36. Fred had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Fred was 69. 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. Fred had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Fred was 69. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Fred had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 8.6% of these deaths in DC; July holds the most, 11.7%. Saturdays: 13%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 7 deaths at United States Capitol Police, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 75% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.1% of all 1,419 deaths in DC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 19.6% 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, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
United States Capitol Police has 7 officers remembered here, Fred 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
6 officers from United States Capitol Police are honored on badge.nw.
