Robert Wesley Crain

Washington Parish Sheriff's Department — Franklinton, LA

Felonious

End of Watch March 3, 1923

Age 35

The Vigil Panel 44 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 6

Incident

Deputy Robert Crain and Deputy Wiley Pierce were shot and killed while attempting to arrest two men for making moonshine.

One of the men produced a handgun and opened fire, killing both deputies. The suspects attempted to hide Deputy Crain's body under the carcass of a dead cow and they buried Deputy Pierce's body in a swamp.

Both men were convicted of the murders and sentenced to death on March 23, 1923. One of the men was hanged on August 31, 1923. The other's sentence was commuted to life. On December 20, 1926, he was stabbed to death by a fellow inmate.

Deputy Crain was survived by his wife and four children. Deputy Crain is buried in Morris Cemetery, Washington Parrish, Louisiana.

Survivors

Deputy Crain was survived by his wife and four children.

In Our Keeping

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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.
Deputy Sheriff Crain served with the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Franklinton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Crain.

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

Agency

Department Washington Parish Sheriff's Department

Type Other

Location Franklinton, Washington Parish, LA

Platform Identity wpso.washington.la.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 3, 1923

Age 35

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Handgun

Deputy Sheriff Robert Wesley Crain 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 LA, 364 of 595 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.2% of this state's fallen. That is 61.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Washington Parish Sheriff's Department, 5 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 71.4% of this agency's fallen.

Washington Parish Sheriff's Department

of 7 officers

71.4% Felonious

LA — Statewide

364

of 595 officers

61.2% Felonious

Nationwide

of 97,772 officers

0% Felonious