Prev
Donald Harold Crittendon
Incident
Patrolman Crittendon and Auxillary Sergeant Herbert L. Goss were shot when they stopped two escaped convicts in a stolen car. Sergeant Goss was shot to death as he reached the drivers window. Patrolman Crittendon was shot in the abdomen by the other convict as he walked to the passenger side of the vehicle. Patrolman Crittendon died from his wounds at Southeast Missouri Hospital eleven days later. Both convicts along with a third convict had escaped from a jail in San Luis Obispo, California, on Febuary 28, 1961. Before reaching Missouri they robbed a supermarket and a liquor store in New Mexico and Kansas. The third suspect was left behind at a supermarket they were about to rob in Cape Girardeau when they were spotted by Patrolman Crittendon and Sergeant Goss. After they shot the two officers they stole a car from a group of college students at Southeast Missouri State College. Still later they beat up a farmer in Glen Allen, Missouri, and took his car. They then exchanged gunfire with the Greenville, Missouri Sheriff and a State Trooper before escaping. All of these events took place the same day Patrolman Crittendon and Sergeant Goss were shot. The next day State Troopers arrested one of the suspects at a service station near Cape Girardeau. Hours later the second suspect was captured in a wooded area near Grassy, Missouri. Both suspects were convicted of murdering Patrolman Crittendon and Sergeant Goss. One was sentenced to life in prison. The other one was executed in the gas chamber on July 26, 1963. Patrolman Crittendon had resigned from the department and was serving his last shift. He was murdered 90 minutes before his shift ended. He was a U.S.
Survivors
Navy veteran and was survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpcp419cc36rbh74fewh- 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 Donald. Claim this record.
Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 2 gates. Donald 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.
Patrolman Crittendon gave the Cape Girardeau Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cape Girardeau 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
Donald Harold Crittendon served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Cape Girardeau Police Department has lost 5 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Donald is one of 527 officers killed feloniously in MO, 63.6% of the 829 remembered there.
Donald is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Donald 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 1961, 2 officers at Cape Girardeau Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1961, 3 officers in MO were killed feloniously, the 55th heaviest of 146 years on record. The heaviest was 1920, with 16.
In 1961, 69 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 104th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1961, 73 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 102nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Donald was 24. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Cape Girardeau Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 35 and 59; the middle age was 49. Donald had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 2 years.
Donald was 24. Of the 477 killed feloniously in MO whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Donald had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Donald was 24. 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. Donald had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Donald was 24. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Donald had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 40% of these deaths at Cape Girardeau Police Department; October holds the most, 40%. Tuesdays: 20%.
March holds 8% of these deaths in MO; December holds the most, 11%. Tuesdays: 14.6%.
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 Cape Girardeau Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 80% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.6% of all 829 deaths in MO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 38% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Cape Girardeau Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, Donald among them.
Military Service
Donald Harold Crittendon served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
Visit Donald Harold Crittendon’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 25-W
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Cape Girardeau Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
