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Incident
Police Officer David Crawford was shot and killed after responding to a report of a suspicious person.
At approximately 10:30 pm, Officer Crawford and another officer responded to a report of a suspicious person in the 700 block of 3rd Avenue after a citizen observed a male walking through his backyard with a broken brick in his hand. Officer Crawford canvassed the area and found the subject near the southwest corner of 2nd Avenue S and 8th Street S. He parked his patrol car and approached the male.
At some point during the encounter there was an exchange of gunfire and Officer Crawford was shot and wounded. He was not wearing his vest at the time. He was taken to Bayfront Medical Center where he died from his wounds.
The suspect fled and after a 24-hour search, a 16-year-old male was arrested and charged with first degree murder. On March 23, 2012, he was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. In October 2013, the subject was again sentenced to life in prison following a review of his original sentence.
Officer Crawford had served with the St. Petersburg Police Department for 25 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and daughter.
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
25 years. You could have gone home.
Police Officer Crawford gave the St. Petersburg Police Department 25 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the St. Petersburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Crawford.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
St. Petersburg Police Department has lost 16 officers; 12 of them killed feloniously.
David is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.3% of the 1,006 remembered there.
David is one of 15,741 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.2% of the 27,543 remembered there.
David is one of 17,629 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,910 remembered here.
33,910 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2011, 3 officers at St. Petersburg Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 2011, 7 officers in FL were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 143 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 10.
In 2011, 88 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 71st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2011, 92 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
David was 46. Of the 10 killed feloniously at St. Petersburg Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 29.3 and 44.5; the middle age was 38.5. David had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
David was 46. Of the 496 killed feloniously in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44.3; the middle age was 36. David had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
David was 46. Of the 14,215 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. David had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
David was 46. Of the 15,849 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. David had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 8.3% of these deaths at St. Petersburg Police Department; October holds the most, 25%. Mondays: 41.7%.
February holds 7.8% of these deaths in FL; April holds the most, 10.1%. Mondays: 10.6%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 16 deaths at St. Petersburg Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.3% of all 1,006 deaths in FL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.2% of all 27,543 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,910 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
St. Petersburg Police Department has 16 officers remembered here, David among them.
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James J. Mitchell Dec 25, 1905
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Edward Adolphus George
Sep 16, 1908
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Wayne M. Barry
May 23, 1929
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Eugene W. Minor
Oct 25, 1929
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Frank Arthur Pike
May 19, 1933
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James W. Thornton
Oct 16, 1937
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William G. Newberry
Oct 17, 1937
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James J. Goodson
Dec 25, 1947
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Gene A. Bessette
Nov 10, 1961
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James A. Krupp
Apr 15, 1964
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Charles Lee Eustes
Sep 24, 1967
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Herbert Ray Sullivan
Aug 18, 1980
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Jeffrey Adam Yaslowitz
Jan 24, 2011
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Thomas John Baitinger
Jan 24, 2011
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David Scott Crawford
Feb 21, 2011
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Michael Weiskopf
Aug 27, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 20-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
15 officers from St. Petersburg Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
