Prev
Incident
Patrolman Harry Crawford suffered a fatal heart attack after arguing with two men who were stealing scrap metal from Pier I in Jersey City, New Jersey.
A massive fire destroyed most of the buildings on the pier on February 25th, 1965, causing over one-million dollars in damage. Patrolman Crawford was patrolling the area when he caught two junk dealers loading their truck with metal pipes from the damaged buildings.
Patrolman Crawford collapsed during the argument and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Both men were charged with disorderly conduct and trespassing on city property.
Patrolman Crawford had served with the Lehigh Valley Railroad Police Department for 36 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three children, and six grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtp5t7hd529rhm93bf7z3- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Harry. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
36 years. You could have gone home.
Patrolman Crawford gave the Lehigh Valley Railroad Police Department 36 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Bethlehem community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Crawford.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Lehigh Valley Railroad Police Department has lost 6 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Harry is one of 118 officers lost to cardiac events in PA, 9.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Harry is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Harry is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1965, 3 officers in PA were lost to cardiac events, the 7th heaviest of 72 years on record. The heaviest was 1957, with 5.
In 1965, 15 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 34th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1965, 15 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 34th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Harry was 71. Of the 118 lost to cardiac events in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 44 and 56; the middle age was 48. Harry had served 36 years; the middle length of service was 15.4 years.
Harry was 71. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Harry had served 36 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Harry was 71. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Harry had served 36 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
March holds 8.5% of these deaths in PA; January holds the most, 11%. Fridays: 13.6%.
March holds 7.6% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Fridays: 15.8%.
March holds 7.6% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.8%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 16.7% of all 6 deaths at Lehigh Valley Railroad Police Department, the 3rd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 9.4% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Lehigh Valley Railroad Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, Harry 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
5 officers from Lehigh Valley Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
