Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma
End of Watch: Monday, April 4, 1977
Age: 43
Tour of Duty: 13 years
Badge Number: 294
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: April 4, 1977
Weapon Used: Shotgun
Suspect Info: Denied parole in 2005
Trooper Larry Crabtree was shot and killed after stopping a car for running a tollgate on the Turner Turnpike about three miles west of Bristow.
While approaching the vehicle, the juvenile driver turned in the seat and shot Trooper Crabtree at point-blank range with a shotgun. Witnesses notified other troopers via CB, and the suspect was apprehended approximately 14 miles away.
The 16-year-old suspect was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death, but the sentence was later reduced to life in prison. He was denied parole in February 2005.
Trooper Crabtree had served with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol for 13 years. He was survived by his wife and three sons.