On April 10, 1901 Police Judge McDowell issued a warrant for the arrest of an individual who operated a “Blind Tiger” the term used at the time for a site of illegal alcohol sales. Officer Crum went to the building and entered just as the suspect was serving drinks to 4 individuals. When they realized that it was Officer Crum that had entered they immediately left the building leaving only Crum and the subject of his warrant. A struggle ensued, evidenced by items turned over inside the building. Witnesses near Second and Walnut Streets heard two shots and witnessed the suspect run from the building.
When Officer Moore entered the building he found Officer Crum deceased on the floor. A coroner’s inquest would find that two bullets fired by his assassin stuck him in the chest. A manhunt for the man responsible was mounted and he was captured eight days later and returned to Danville for trial and on December 20, 1901 the man convicted of killing Crum was executed by a public hanging held in Danville.
Officer Crum was fifty-three years of age at the time of his death. He was survived by a wife and ten children. He was a member of the Danville Police Department for four years.
John T. Crum Monument
