Trooper Larry Verne Crabtree, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma

Trooper Larry Verne Crabtree

Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma

End of Watch Monday, April 4, 1977

Larry Verne Crabtree

Trooper Larry Crabtree was shot and killed after stopping a car for running a tollgate on the Turner Turnpike. 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. His next parole hearing will be in February of 2017.

Trooper Crabtree had been with the agency for 13 years.

Bio

Age 43
Tour 13 years
Badge 294

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Shotgun
Offender Denied parole in 2005

Most Recent Reflection

View all 12 Reflections

My father, Fred Rowden, was the Trooper on duty with Larry, on the west end of the Turner Turnpike, when this incident occurred. We didn't know for several hours if it was my dad or Trooper Crabtree that had been shot. Dad joined Trooper Thornton and others in the apprehension of the killer. All the Troopers who patrolled the Turner were a tight-knit group and were deeply affected by the murder of Trooper Crabtree. I will never forget the feeling of helplessness as we waited to hear the details of this tragic incident.

David Rowden

January 9, 2015