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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Hal Croft and a Raiford Prison employee assisting him were shot and killed in Raiford while serving an arrest warrant on a man for firing a shotgun into an occupied dwelling. The subject opened fire with a shotgun as they stepped onto his front porch. The man then took Deputy Croft's service revolver and shot himself in the chest. He recovered from his wounds and was charged with two counts of first-degree murder. The man, 36, was convicted of both murders and sentenced to death. In 1964 he was tried again and sentenced to two life terms. On May 16, 1972, he, a prison guard, and a girlfriend, were charged with conspiracy to commit extortion when they attempted to blackmail the Union County Sheriff in an effort to get a parole. The girl tried to coax the sheriff into a lewd situation while the guard, hiding nearby, would film it. The sheriff saw through it and it backfired on the three. In 1976 his appeal for a new trial was denied. Deputy Croft had served with the Union County Sheriff's Office for only eight months and had previously served with the Florida Highway Patrol.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and child.
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 Croft served with the Union County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Lake Butler community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Croft.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Union County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Hal is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.3% of the 1,006 remembered there.
Hal is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Hal 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 1961, 2 officers in FL were killed feloniously, the 93rd heaviest of 143 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 10.
In 1961, 69 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 104th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1961, 73 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 102nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Hal was 30. Of the 496 killed feloniously in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44.3; the middle age was 36.
Hal was 30. 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.
Hal was 30. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
May holds 9% of these deaths in FL; April holds the most, 10.1%. Tuesdays: 14.9%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Union County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.3% of all 1,006 deaths in FL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 9% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Union County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Hal among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 5-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Union County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
