Incident
Policeman David Crandall was shot and killed after interrupting a burglary in progress.
Policeman Crandall was walking his beat in the Town of Albia when he noticed that a store was being burglarized. After listening to the burglars talk inside, Policeman Crandall determined that there were too many suspects for him to confront alone, so be began to run to down the street to an open mill to get assistance. As he did, he was spotted by an accomplice of the burglars, who fired a revolver at Policeman Crandell, striking him in the head.
Policeman Crandall was an original member of the Capital Police District which was formed in 1865 and had served there for three years. He had previously served as a deputy sheriff in Albany County.
Policeman Crandall was walking his beat in the Town of Albia when he noticed that a store was being burglarized. After listening to the burglars talk inside, Policeman Crandall determined that there were too many suspects for him to confront alone, so be began to run to down the street to an open mill to get assistance. As he did, he was spotted by an accomplice of the burglars, who fired a revolver at Policeman Crandell, striking him in the head.
Policeman Crandall was an original member of the Capital Police District which was formed in 1865 and had served there for three years. He had previously served as a deputy sheriff in Albany County.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
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- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
158 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Policeman Crandall gave the Capital Police District 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Albany community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Policeman David Calvin Crandall 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 NY, 754 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.1% of this state's fallen. That is 19.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. David Calvin Crandall's cause is highlighted.
How David Calvin Crandall Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. David Calvin Crandall is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. David Calvin Crandall was killed by handgun; revolver.