National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial

Officer Rank:

Memorial Panel: 47-W: 27

Department: Texas Department of Criminal Justice

End of Watch: January 27, 1934

Cause: SHOT

Age: 33

Years of Service: Unk

Description: Prison Guard Major Joseph Crowson, of the Eastham Prison, was supervising a group of prisoners working outside. Two of the prisoners, Raymond Hamilton and Joe Palmer, were members of the Bonnie and Clyde gang. Clyde Barrow and another gang member had planted weapons outside the prison's wood yard the day before. Guard Crowson, the backup man on horse back, was called down to receive a group of prisoners detailed to work in his area. One of the prisoners was armed and told Guard Crowson and another guard to "stick em up boys." Major Crowson was fatally shot in the head and stomach. Raymond Hamilton was present when Deputy Eugene Moore was killed in 1932. Raymond Hamilton and Joe Palmer were executed for the murder of Major Crowson in 1935. The Bonnie and Clyde gang was responsible for the deaths of eight other officers between 1932 and 1934: Constable William Campbell, Deputy Malcolm Davis, Constable J.W. Harryman, Marshal H.D. Humphrey, Detective Harry McGinnis, Deputy Eugene Moore, Patrolman H. Murphy and Patrolman Edward Wheeler. Bonnie & Clyde were ambushed and killed by a posse of law enforcement officers on May 23, 1934.