J. H. Crawford
Agency patch
Special Policeman

J. H. Crawford

Felonious
End of Watch February 16, 1908
Age 40
The Vigil Panel 22 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Location: Alabama Weapon: Gun; Unknown type Offender: Two shot and killed

Special Policeman J.H. Crawford was shot and killed in Birmingham, Alabama while confronting three men on a railroad track near 9th Avenue and 27th Street.

After being shot his body was placed on the railroad track and was subsequently struck by a train. Two suspects were found dead a short distance away and it is believed Policeman Crawford shot them during the shootout.

Policeman Crawford had served with the Southern Railroad Police Department for 18 months and had previously served as marshal of the Irondale Police Department.

Rest in Peace Special Officer J.H. Crawford. Thank You for your Service and Sacrifice protecting America's steel roadways. I Pray for Peace for your Family, Friends and Co-Workers. I also Pray that the hounds of hell forever gnaw at the flesh of your murderers.

Amen

Senior Special Agent B.L. Sherwood Port Terminal Railroad Police Houston,TX February 16th, 2016

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-RR-56331FD4
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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.
Special Policeman Crawford served with the Southern Railway Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Washington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Policeman Crawford.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Washington, DC
Platform Identity srpd.rr.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 16, 1908
Age 40
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Special Policeman J. H. 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 97,772 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 Southern Railway Police Department, 17 of 18 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 94.4% of this agency's fallen.

Southern Railway Police Department
17
of 18 officers
94.4% Felonious
DC — Statewide
754
of 1,418 officers
53.2% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. J. H. Crawford's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How J. H. Crawford Compares

Age at Death
40
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. J. H. Crawford is highlighted in Feb.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. J. H. Crawford was killed by gun; unknown type.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Incident Location