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Incident
Deputy Constable Crawford was accidentally shot and killed in a case of mistaken identity. He, the constable, and the justice of the peace were conducting a raid on an abandoned coal mine in Columbus, Kansas. Two deputies and a federal agent were also planning on conducting a raid at the same time. Neither group knew of the other group's plans and conducted the raids at the same time. Thinking each other's parties were bootleggers, the officers exchanged fire and Deputy Constable Crawford was killed and one of the deputies was wounded. A coroner's inquest exonerated all officers involved of any blame in Deputy Constable Crawford's death. The owners of the still and whiskey found in the mine were apprehended.
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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 Constable Crawford served with the Spring Valley Township Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Columbus community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Constable Crawford.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
John is the only officer of Spring Valley Township Constable's Office remembered here.
John is one of 66 officers lost to accidents in KS, 19.7% of the 335 remembered there.
John is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1929, 2 officers in KS were lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 50 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 3.
In 1929, 118 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1929, 130 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
John was 52. Of the 59 lost to accidents in KS whose age is recorded, half were between 31.5 and 49; the middle age was 37.
John was 52. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36.
John was 52. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
December holds 9.1% of these deaths in KS; November holds the most, 13.6%. Tuesdays: 18.2%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Spring Valley Township Constable's Office.
Accident deaths account for 19.7% of all 335 deaths in KS, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 3-W
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