In Memory
The men and women of the St. Petersburg Police
Department and the family of Officer Crawford would
like to thank everyone who has reached out to us during
this sorrowful time. This devastating event will forever
change the lives of Officer Crawford’s family, friends
and colleagues. It is in times such as this that we reflect
upon the importance of community, family and friends,
and we are grateful for the incredible outpouring of
support the people of St. Petersburg, the state, and the
nation have shown us.
We sincerely appreciate the countless cards, emails,
flowers, acts of kindness, well wishes and prayers that
have been sent our way. Officer David Crawford will be
forever missed . . . and remembered.
Officer David Crawford
143B
The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe
Dave’s Favorite Poem
Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
“ ‘Tis some visitor,” I muttered, “tapping at my chamber door Only this, and nothing more.” ....
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted - nevermore!
The men and women of the
St. Petersburg Police Department and the family of
Officer David Crawford thank you for your support.
End of Watch February 21, 2011
Memorial
Prelude ........................................ Alice Tietjen, Organist
Special Music ............................. Deputy Shawn Pappas
Pinellas County Sheriff ’s Office
Welcome ............. Dr. Walter Draughon, III, Senior Pastor
First Baptist Church of St. Petersburg
Invocation ........................................ Pastor Phillip Lilly
First Baptist Church of St. Petersburg
Reflections of Officer David S. Crawford
Officer Thad “Stu” Crisco
St. Petersburg Police Department
Sergeant FC David Dehoyos
United States Army
Sergeant Karl Lounge
St. Petersburg Police Department
Remembering Officer David S. Crawford
Pastor Pat Carriton
Generations Christian Church, Trinity, FL
Musical Selection ............................. Pastor Alberto Bent
First Baptist Church of St. Petersburg
Looking Back ...... Luke Williams, Assistant Chief of Police
St. Petersburg Police Department
Acknowledgements .......... Chuck Harmon, Chief of Police
St. Petersburg Police Department
Bill Foster, Mayor
City of St. Petersburg
Reading of the 23rd Psalm ...... Officer Thad “Stu” Crisco
Musical Selection ............................. Pastor Alberto Bent
Words of Encouragement ........ Dr. Walter Draughon, III
Banner Ceremony / Departure
Officer David Scott Crawford
May 7, 1964 – February 21, 2011
In the late evening hours
of Monday, February 21,
Officer David S. Crawford
was assigned to provide
back-up support for a
fellow officer, responding
to a “Suspicious Person”
call for police service,
a type of call he had
responded to many times
before. However, on
this call, Dave gave the
ultimate sacrifice of duty .
. . fulfilling his life’s calling,
doing all he could to help
ensure the peace and
safety of the citizens of St.
Petersburg. Dave honorably served the St. Petersburg
Police Department with distinction, bravery and heroism
for more than 25 years.
Dave was born in St. Petersburg, on May 7, 1964. He
was the only son of Johnson and Ruth Crawford. Dave
grew up and attended schools in Pinellas County,
graduating from Seminole High School in 1982. Seeking
to further his education, he attended Johnson Bible
College in Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1983. During his
school years, Dave worked as a construction worker, a
gas station attendant and a grocery store clerk, giving
him valuable experience in working and interacting with
a wide range of people . . . experience that would serve
him well in the future as a St. Petersburg Police Officer.
In 1984, Dave began employment with the City of St.
Petersburg as a member of Police Academy Class #87,
and was sworn in as a police officer on July 13, 1985.
Dave gravitated to the midnight shift where he spent
most of his career. He was particularly successful
in handling domestic disputes. Dave embraced the
opportunity to help individuals through difficult domestic
cases. He had a talent for calming people in tense
situations. He was reassuring to victims and would be
there to support them through court proceedings. Well
known and respected by the leaders at Community
Action Stops Abuse (CASA), Dave was referred to as
“a particularly compassionate officer.”
A number of years ago, he moved to the Crystal River
area where he could regularly enjoy horseback riding
and moments of quiet reflection in the Withlacoochee
State Forest. Dave was married to Lori (Phillips) from
1984 to 2004, and had a daughter, Amanda, who
shared Dave’s enthusiasm for the wide open spaces
of Hernando County. Dave found love once again
and married
his wife
Donna in
2007. Dave
and Donna
lived in a
log cabin
style home
in Crystal
River. The
house
and the
environment
suited
him. Dave
enjoyed “working” at Tampa Bay Rays games at
Tropicana Field, loved to barbecue, liked to work with
his hands . . . he liked to “fix things.” Fixing things is
what Dave seemed to do best, at home and as a police
officer.
Ultimately, as a police officer, Dave was a public
servant to the citizens of the City of St. Petersburg.
He will always be remembered as a humble, quiet,
dependable and trustworthy man, who dedicated and
gave his life in service to others.
Dave is survived by his wife Donna; daughter Amanda;
step-daughter Patricia Savoie; and two grandchildren,
Tatiana and Anastasia.