Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Cranmer was shot and killed by a prisoner while checking on the man. The suspect was in the county jail for assault. A friend had slipped him a pistol. Two accomplices were arrested. The suspect was hanged for Sheriff Cranmer's murder on March 6, 1891. Sheriff Cranmer was survived by his wife and four children. He was a Union Captain during the Civil War and served two terms in the Missouri General Assembly after the war.
Survivors
Sheriff Cranmer was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-1B297362- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Sheriff Cranmer served with the Cooper County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Boonville community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Thomas C. Cranmer served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Sheriff Thomas C. Cranmer 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 MO, 516 of 813 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.5% of this state's fallen. That is 9.3 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Cooper County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas C. Cranmer's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas C. Cranmer Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1891
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas C. Cranmer is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas C. Cranmer was killed by handgun; .44 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Cooper County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
