Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Olney Crawford was killed when he was struck by a drunk driver at the intersection of Summer Avenue and Perkins Road.
He and another deputy were investigating a previous accident when an intoxicated wrecker driver sped through the scene and struck Deputy Crawford. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The driver was charged with manslaughter.
Deputy Crawford had served with the Shelby County Sheriff's Office for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-5C0EF3C7- 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.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Crawford gave the Shelby County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Memphis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Crawford.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Olney Benton 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 TN, 498 of 769 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64.8% of this state's fallen. That is 10.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Shelby County Sheriff's Office, 13 of 21 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Olney Benton Crawford's cause is highlighted.
How Olney Benton Crawford Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Olney Benton Crawford is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
20 officers from Shelby County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
