Frank C. Crawford

Cherokee County Sheriff's Office — Murphy, NC

Felonious Veteran

End of Watch March 3, 1953

Age 45

Tour of Duty 20 yrs

The Vigil Panel 89 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 4

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: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Frank. Claim this record.

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.
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

Department Cherokee County Sheriff's Office

Location Murphy, NC

Platform Identity ccso.cherokee.nc.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 3, 1953

Tour of Duty 20 yrs

Age 45

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Shotgun

Offender Sentenced to 40 years

Military Service

Frank C. Crawford served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Sheriff Frank C. 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 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 3.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

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.

Cherokee County Sheriff's Office

of 5 officers

100% Felonious

NC — Statewide

385

of 664 officers

58% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious