Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff David Crawford succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained several days earlier while attempting to serve a warrant on a man in Harrison.
The man was wanted for a gambling violation, but was also a suspect in two murders. Sheriff Crawford and a county bailiff learned the man was at a general store in downtown Harrison. When they arrived at the store the owner pointed out the wanted man to them. To avoid a confrontation inside the store, Sheriff Crawford decided to wait on the front porch. Seeing Sheriff Crawford out front, the man fired a single shot at him, striking him in the back.
As the man ran from the scene the bailiff shot him in the leg. Despite the wound, the man was able to flee. He was arrested by a posse the following day and taken to jail. After Sheriff Crawford's death two days later, a mob of several hundred men broke into the Johnson County Jail, seized the man, hanged him, and then shot him more than 500 times.
Sheriff Crawford had served as the Johnson County Sheriff for less than two months.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-9E172011- Stewardship
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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.
Sheriff Crawford served with the Johnson County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Wrightsville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Crawford.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff David Algerine Crawford 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 Johnson County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. David Algerine Crawford's cause is highlighted.
How David Algerine Crawford Compares
Offender Outcome
Lynched
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. David Algerine Crawford is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. David Algerine Crawford was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Johnson County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
