Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Frank Crawford was shot and killed in the town of Hanging Dog, North Carolina while attempting to serve a warrant on a man for arson. The suspect had a long-standing grudge against Sheriff Crawford and had threatened in the past to kill him if the sheriff ever attempted to arrest him again. As Sheriff Crawford stepped out of his car at the end of the man's driveway, the man shot him in the chest with a shotgun, killing him instantly. The suspect fled into the woods, where he was apprehended later in the night. The suspect was convicted of murdering Sheriff Crawford and sentenced to death. His sentence was later commuted to 40 years in prison. He was released from prison on January 12, 1978. Sheriff Crawford was a United States Navy Reserve WWII veteran and served with the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office for 20 years. He was survived by his wife, son, father, sister, and brother, who was also a deputy with the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office. His nephew was appointed sheriff after his death.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, father, sister, and brother, who was also a deputy with the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-7695C72C- 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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 2 gates. Frank is one person.
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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.
Sheriff Crawford gave the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office 20 years.
Thank you for your service to the Murphy 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
Frank C. Crawford served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
Sheriff Frank C. Crawford 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 97,759 officers honored here.
In NC, 385 of 664 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58% of this state's fallen. That is 58 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Cherokee County Sheriff's Office, 5 of 5 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. Frank C. Crawford's cause is highlighted.
How Frank C. Crawford Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Frank C. Crawford is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Frank C. Crawford was killed by shotgun.
Military Service
Frank C. Crawford served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
Visit Frank C. Crawford’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Cherokee County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
