Incident
Sergeant James McCrystal was killed in a hit-and-run crash while en route from the Phillips State Prison to a local hospital to assist with the supervision of an inmate.
He was driving on I-85, between Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road and Sugar Loaf Parkway, when another car collided with his. The collision caused Sergeant McCrystal's vehicle to overturn. He was ejected from the vehicle and suffered fatal injuries.
The driver of the second vehicle fled the scene but turned herself in later that night. She was charged with hit-and-run and vehicular homicide.
Sergeant McCrystal had served with the Georgia Department of Corrections for 12 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, six children, mother, and several siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-94E6333B- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew James. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant McCrystal gave the Georgia Department of Corrections 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Georgia. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant McCrystal.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant James Bryan McCrystal 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 GA, 548 of 903 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.7% of this state's fallen. That is 6.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Georgia Dept. of Corrections, 16 of 38 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.1% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Bryan McCrystal's cause is highlighted.
How James Bryan McCrystal Compares
Offender Outcome
Charged with vehicular homicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Bryan McCrystal is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Bryan McCrystal was killed by automobile.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
37 officers from Georgia Dept. of Corrections are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.















