Prev
Incident
Sheriff Cecil Crawford was shot and killed as he and two other officers attempted to take custody of a man for a sanity hearing in his father's home. The man led the sheriff and a deputy upstairs, where he opened fire on them, killing Sheriff Crawford instantly. He then jumped from a window and ran into a wooded area, and was captured a short time later. The suspect was declared insane and committed to a mental institution. In July of 1949, he was found to be sane and charged with Sheriff Crawford's murder. He was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 20 years in prison on November 7, 1949. He died on October 7, 1956. Sheriff Crawford was serving his third term as Sheriff of Page County Sheriff's Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpcmhrqhd0dcqd65kev5- 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 Cecil. 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Crawford gave the Page County Sheriff's Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Clarinda 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
Page County Sheriff's Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Cecil is one of 129 officers killed feloniously in IA, 57.1% of the 226 remembered there.
Cecil is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Cecil 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 1943, 1 officer in IA was killed feloniously, the 32nd heaviest of 76 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 5.
In 1943, 66 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1943, 86 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 79th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Cecil was 50. Of the 115 killed feloniously in IA whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 51; the middle age was 41. Cecil had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Cecil was 50. 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. Cecil had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Cecil was 50. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Cecil had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 10.9% of these deaths in IA; July holds the most, 16.3%. Saturdays: 22.5%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Page County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 226 deaths in IA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% 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
Page County Sheriff's Department has 2 officers remembered here, Cecil among them.
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 Page County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.