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Incident
Deputy Crampton was shot and killed with his own weapon while he and Deputy Harold Ewald transported two suspects from one facility to another. During the transport, one of the prisoners began slashing Deputy Crampton with a homemade knife. As Deputy Ewald stopped the vehicle, Deputy Crampton attempted to draw his weapon. The suspect then dived into the front seat, grabbed Deputy Crampton's weapon, and began shooting. Deputy Crampton was killed instantly. The suspect began to flee the scene. Deputy Ewald, who was in plain clothes, pursued him. Deputy Ewald shot the suspect several times. An off duty police officer heard the shots and saw Deputy Ewald pursuing the man with his gun drawn. That officer mistook Deputy Ewald for a suspect and shot him three times. Deputy Ewald was taken to a local hospital where he recovered from his injuries. However, on December 8, 1970, Deputy Ewald suffered a fatal heart attack while on duty at the juvenile detention center. Doctors attributed the heart attack to the stress of being shot and losing his partner. The suspect, now 45, who disappeared, was located in 1978 in a jail in London, England. England officials said he was so dangerous they refused to return him. U.S. officials charted a plane to bring him back at a cost of $15,000. On March 3, 1979, he was convicted of first degree and sentenced to life in prison. As of October 5, 2022, he was still in prison.
Survivors
Deputy Crampton had been with the agency for 12 years and was survived by his wife, son, daughter, and seven grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Crampton gave the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Ann Arbor community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Crampton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department has lost 4 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Frank is one of 415 officers killed feloniously in MI, 59% of the 703 remembered there.
Frank is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Frank is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1970, 7 officers in MI were killed feloniously, the 15th heaviest of 124 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 14.
In 1970, 138 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 29th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1970, 142 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Frank was 60. Of the 400 killed feloniously in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 42; the middle age was 35. Frank had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Frank was 60. 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. Frank had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Frank was 60. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Frank had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 8.7% of these deaths in MI; December holds the most, 12.3%. Thursdays: 15.2%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 25% of all 4 deaths at Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 59% of all 703 deaths in MI, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.5% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department has 4 officers remembered here, Frank among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 44-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
