Roll of Honor
Incident
Trooper Larry Crabtree was shot and killed after stopping a car for running a tollgate on the Turner Turnpike about three miles west of Bristow. While approaching the vehicle, the juvenile driver turned in the seat and shot Trooper Crabtree at point-blank range with a shotgun. Witnesses notified other troopers via CB, and the suspect was apprehended approximately 14 miles away. The 16-year-old suspect was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death, but the sentence was later reduced to life in prison. He was denied parole in February 2005. Trooper Crabtree had served with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol for 13 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OK-F5198E88- 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.
Trooper Crabtree gave the Oklahoma Highway Patrol 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Oklahoma. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Crabtree.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Trooper Larry Verne Crabtree 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 OK, 403 of 582 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.2% of this state's fallen. That is 69.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Oklahoma Highway Patrol, 19 of 39 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 48.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Larry Verne Crabtree's cause is highlighted.
How Larry Verne Crabtree Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Larry Verne Crabtree is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Larry Verne Crabtree was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
38 officers from Oklahoma Highway Patrol are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
