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Incident
Deputy Crosswhite was shot and killed as he attempted to enter a farmhouse in search of two suspects. Deputy Crosswhite had served in law enforcement for 10 years He served as constable in Polk county for five years, as Ash Grove city marshal for two years and as Greene County Deputy Sheriff for three years. He was survived by his wife, four sons, two daughters and his mother. Two brothers considered local petty burglars killed a total of seven Law Enforcement Officers. After they killed Town Marshal Mark Noe on June 2, 1929, a massive manhunt began for the suspects. The two suspects were located at the family farmhouse on January 2, 1932. They had come to town to visit their mother for the Christmas holiday. A raiding party of eleven officers was formed to arrest the two brothers. As the officers surrounded the farmhouse gunfire erupted and in the end six officers lay dead. The suspects escaped, and fled to Texas. They were located there by Houston Police and as police moved in the two suspects committed suicide.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, four sons, two daughters and his mother.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Crosswhite gave the Greene County Sheriff's Office 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Springfield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Crosswhite.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Greene County Sheriff's Office has lost 10 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Oliver is one of 527 officers killed feloniously in MO, 63.6% of the 829 remembered there.
Oliver is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Oliver is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1932, 3 officers at Greene County Sheriff's Office were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1932, 9 officers in MO were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 146 years on record. The heaviest was 1920, with 16.
In 1932, 210 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1932, 210 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Oliver was 42. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Greene County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 40.5 and 46; the middle age was 42. Oliver had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 3 years.
Oliver was 42. Of the 477 killed feloniously in MO whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Oliver had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Oliver was 42. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Oliver had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Oliver was 42. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Oliver had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 42.9% of these deaths at Greene County Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Saturdays: 57.1%.
January holds 7.8% of these deaths in MO; December holds the most, 11%. Saturdays: 16.5%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 70% of all 10 deaths at Greene County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 42.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.6% of all 829 deaths in MO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 5.7% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Greene County Sheriff's Office has 10 officers remembered here, Oliver among them.
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Jacob H. Baughman
Jul 21, 1871
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John Henry Keller
Jul 9, 1895
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Charles J. Kinser
May 15, 1925
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Oliver Rufus Crosswhite
Jan 2, 1932
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Marcell C. Hendrix
Jan 2, 1932
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Wiley M. Mashburn
Jan 2, 1932
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Jerry Lee Inman
May 25, 1968
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Gary D. McCormack
Oct 6, 2007
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Aaron Paul Roberts
Sep 7, 2018
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Dwight Eugene Willis
Nov 22, 2020
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 16-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Greene County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
