Charles Edward Crabtree

Atlanta Police Department — Atlanta, GA

Felonious

End of Watch May 17, 1902

The Vigil Panel 17 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 87

Incident

Police Officer Charles Edward Crabtree and Police Officer Tom Grant, both of the Atlanta Police Department, and Policeman Hugh Osburn and Bailiff Ed Battle, both of the Fulton County Office of Inspector of Roads and Bridges, were shot and killed while attempting to arrest a gang of criminals wanted for beating a former police officer who they had previous run-ins with. The gang was barricaded in a house and opened fire on officers from concealed positions inside of the home. Policeman Osburn, Bailiff Battle, and Officer Crabtree were shot fatally shot at the intersection of Amy Street (modern-day Delavan Street) and Smith Street. Officer Grant was fatally shot along McDaniel Street, near Amy Street. Several of the suspects attempted to flee the house and were shot and killed by officers and citizens. The leader of the gang was found dead after the house was burned to the ground.

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Added to badge.nw: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Crabtree served with the Atlanta Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Atlanta community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Crabtree.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Atlanta Police Department

Location Atlanta, GA

Platform Identity apd.fulton.ga.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 17, 1902

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Shot and killed

Police Officer Charles Edward Crabtree is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In GA, 548 of 903 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.7% of this state's fallen. That is 6.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Atlanta Police Department, 58 of 88 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 65.9% of this agency's fallen.

Atlanta Police Department

of 88 officers

65.9% Felonious

GA — Statewide

548

of 903 officers

60.7% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious