Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer David Crowther succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained two weeks earlier when he was shot while serving a narcotics warrant at 9014 North Lombard Street. He and eight other members of his unit were serving the warrant at the clubhouse of a local motorcycle gang around 9:00 p.m. As they forced the door open, one of the occupants opened fire with a shotgun, striking Officer Crowther in the head. Thirteen members of the gang were arrested and charged with narcotics violations and Officer Crowther's murder. The shooter was convicted of first-degree manslaughter and sentenced to 10-20 years. In 1983, his conviction was upheld, but his sentence was set aside, and he was released for time served. Officer Crowther had served with the Portland Police Bureau for four years and was assigned to the Special Investigation Division.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OR-AF9B10A2- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Crowther gave the Portland Police Bureau 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Portland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Crowther.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer David Wayne Crowther is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In OR, 115 of 197 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58.4% of this state's fallen. That is 58.4 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Portland Police Bureau, 12 of 31 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 38.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. David Wayne Crowther's cause is highlighted.
How David Wayne Crowther Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. David Wayne Crowther is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. David Wayne Crowther was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
30 officers from Portland Police Bureau are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
