Prev
Incident
Sheriff Frank Crawford was shot and killed in the town of Hanging Dog, North Carolina while attempting to serve a warrant on a man for arson. The suspect had a long-standing grudge against Sheriff Crawford and had threatened in the past to kill him if the sheriff ever attempted to arrest him again. As Sheriff Crawford stepped out of his car at the end of the man's driveway, the man shot him in the chest with a shotgun, killing him instantly. The suspect fled into the woods, where he was apprehended later in the night. The suspect was convicted of murdering Sheriff Crawford and sentenced to death. His sentence was later commuted to 40 years in prison. He was released from prison on January 12, 1978. Sheriff Crawford was a United States Navy Reserve WWII veteran and served with the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office for 20 years. He was survived by his wife, son, father, sister, and brother, who was also a deputy with the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office. His nephew was appointed sheriff after his death.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, father, sister, and brother, who was also a deputy with the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpcmc8jhd0ye5n73f2te- 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 Frank. Claim this record.
Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 2 gates. Frank is one person.
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
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.
Sheriff Crawford gave the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office 20 years.
Thank you for your service to the Murphy 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
Frank C. Crawford served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Cherokee County Sheriff's Office has lost 5 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Frank is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Frank is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Frank 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 1953, 1 officer at Cherokee County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 4 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 2.
In 1953, 4 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 28th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1953, 72 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 98th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1953, 72 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 104th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Frank was 45. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Cherokee County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 54; the middle age was 45. Frank had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Frank was 45. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Frank had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Frank 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. Frank had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Frank was 45. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Frank had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 20% of these deaths at Cherokee County Sheriff's Office; August holds the most, 40%. Tuesdays: 20%.
March holds 6.2% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Tuesdays: 14.3%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 5 deaths at Cherokee County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 13.8% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Cherokee County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, Frank among them.
Military Service
Frank C. Crawford served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
Visit Frank C. Crawford’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 32-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Cherokee County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
