Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Crabtree succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained the previous day after being confronted by a drunk 19-year-old man. He was en route to join a surveillance operation when the shooting occurred near the intersection of Glenwood Avenue and Hillsborough Street. The suspect was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 30 years in prison. He was paroled on February 1, 1930. Detective Crabtree had served with the Raleigh Police Department for nine years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-9846E1E0- 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.
Detective Crabtree gave the Raleigh Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Raleigh community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Crabtree.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Thomas Gilbert Crabtree 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 NC, 385 of 664 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58% of this state's fallen. That is 3.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Raleigh Police Dept., 4 of 9 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 44.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas Gilbert Crabtree's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas Gilbert Crabtree Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1930
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas Gilbert Crabtree is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas Gilbert Crabtree was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Raleigh Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
