Roll of Honor
Incident
Location: District of Columbia Incident Date: Sunday, June 27, 1948 Weapon: Handgun Offender: Sentenced to 5 to 15 years
Private Fred Crenshaw succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained on June 27th, 1948, while assisting other officers with the arrest of several suspicious men on the grounds of the west front of the United States Capitol Building.
The other officers were searching for suspects involved in several recent robberies on the grounds and encountered the three men. Private Crenshaw was on duty at the House Office Building and had been relieved to take his break and get fresh air. As he was walking in the area the other officers asked him to take one of the men to the guardhouse at the Senate Office Building for further questioning. The other two men suddenly fled on foot and the other officers pursued them.
As Private Crenshaw walked the subject toward a callbox the man suddenly produced a pistol and shot him twice. Despite his wounds, Private Crenshaw returned fire but did not strike the subject.
When the officers returned to the guardhouse they discovered that Private Crenshaw had not arrived. They began searching for him and located him suffering from several gunshot wounds. He was taken to Casualty Hospital in critical condition with a bullet lodged near his spine. He never fully recovered and remained in declining health. He died from complications of the original gunshot wounds on January 5th, 1952.
The man who shot him was convicted of assault with intent to kill and was sentenced to five to 15 years in prison.
Private Crenshaw had served with the United States Capitol Police for two years. He was survived by his wife and six siblings. He was predeceased by his son.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and six siblings.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-FED-CC3281C1- Stewardship
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- 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.
Private Crenshaw gave the United States Capitol Police 2 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Private Crenshaw.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Private Fred Jasper Crenshaw 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 DC, 754 of 1,418 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.2% of this state's fallen. That is 53.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At United States Capitol Police, 4 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.1% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Fred Jasper Crenshaw's cause is highlighted.
How Fred Jasper Crenshaw Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Fred Jasper Crenshaw is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Fred Jasper Crenshaw was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from United States Capitol Police are honored on badge.nw.
