John Randall McCrary
Agency patch
Deputy Sheriff

John Randall McCrary

Felonious
End of Watch February 28, 2024
Age 55
Tour of Duty 15 yrs
The Vigil Panel 182 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Deputy Sheriff John McCrary succumbed to gunshot wounds he received while serving commitment papers on February 3, 2016.

When Deputy McCrary and two other deputies arrived at the home in Florence, the subject barricaded himself in a bedroom. When the deputies entered the room, the subject fired at the deputies, striking Deputy McCrary twice. He was able to return fire, wounding the subject.

The suspect was convicted of attempted murder and sentenced to 99 years in prison. He will be eligible for parole in 2033.

Deputy McCrary was transported to Huntsville Hospital, where his spleen was removed. He suffered medical difficulties throughout the next eight years and passed away from complications of his gunshot wounds on February 28, 2024.

Deputy McCrary served in law enforcement for over 15 years. After serving with the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office, he served with the Rogersville Police Department and was promoted to the rank of Investigator.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife, two sons, three sisters, and two grandchildren.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-AL-571C9788
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 McCrary gave the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Florence community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff McCrary.

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

Agency

Location Florence, AL
Platform Identity lcso.lauderdale.al.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 28, 2024
Tour of Duty 15 yrs
Age 55
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender Sentenced to 99 years

Deputy Sheriff John Randall McCrary 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 AL, 405 of 643 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63% of this state's fallen. That is 8.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office
3
of 3 officers
100% Felonious
AL — Statewide
405
of 643 officers
63% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Randall McCrary's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How John Randall McCrary Compares

Age at End of Watch
55
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
15
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Sentenced to 99 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Randall McCrary is highlighted in Feb.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Randall McCrary was killed by gun; unknown type.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Incident Location

Others Who Wore This Badge

2 officers from Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.