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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
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Raleigh Police Department has lost 9 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Thomas is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1922, 6 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1922, 228 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1922, 306 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 37. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Thomas had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Thomas was 37. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 37. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 8.3% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 44.4% of all 9 deaths at Raleigh Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 16.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Raleigh Police Department has 9 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 53-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Raleigh Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
