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Incident
Constable Albert Crigler was shot and killed by a stagecoach robber. At approximately 1:30 p.m., the stagecoach from Cloverdale to Lakeport was held up by two masked men on Geysers Spring Road approximately 4 miles east of Cloverdale. The robbers, brothers-in-law, took the Wells, Fargo & Co. strongbox and ordered the driver to continue on his way. When word of the robbery reached Cloverdale, Constable Crigler deputized Samuel Allen and the two of them started out after the highwaymen. They caught up to them in a rocky area near Sulpher Creek at about 5:30 that afternoon. Constable Crigler ordered the men to put down their weapons and surrender. One put down his revolver but the second didn’t comply. He shot Constable Crigler in the right side of his body with a .44 caliber Colt’s navy revolver killing him almost immediately. Deputy Samuel Allen quickly returned fire with his .44 caliber Winchester rifle, striking the shooter through his left eye, killing him instantly. The other suspect retrieved his weapon and exchanged gunfire with Samuel Allen and was seriously wounded in his right arm. He escaped but was caught two days later while walking down the railroad tracks about 1 ½ miles south of Santa Rosa. He was still in possession of the money taken from the strongbox. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to 25 years in prison. Wells, Fargo & Co. gave $300 to Constable Crigler’s widow and another $300 to Samuel Allen for the efforts of the lawmen. Constable Crigler had served with the agency for 3 years and also served a dual role as a deputy sheriff with the Sonoma County Sheriff's Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children and is buried in the Cloverdale Cemetery.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
138 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Constable Crigler gave the Cloverdale Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cloverdale community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Albert is the only officer of Cloverdale Police Department remembered here.
Albert is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Albert is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Albert 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 1888, 2 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 128th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1888, 60 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 126th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1888, 63 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 126th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Albert was 40. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Albert had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Albert was 40. 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. Albert had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Albert was 40. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Albert had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 9.1% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 16.4%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Cloverdale Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 26.9% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 32-W
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