Michael James Crawshaw

On a cold December evening in 2009, 32-year-old male Patrolman Michael James Crawshaw of the Penn Hills Police Department was fatally shot in an ambush. He was the first to respond to a call about a man with a gun at a home on Johnston Road. He cautiously parked his patrol car a couple of houses away to await backup. While waiting, he radioed to dispatch that he heard gunfire coming from inside the residence.

Unbeknownst to Officer Crawshaw, a homicide had just taken place inside the home. The suspect, Ronald Robinson, had gone to the residence to collect a $500 drug debt and had murdered Danyal Morton. After killing Morton, Robinson exited the house and walked up the street. Upon noticing Officer Crawshaw in his patrol car, Robinson opened fire with an AK-47, striking the officer multiple times while he was still seated in his vehicle. The attack was so sudden that Officer Crawshaw had little to no opportunity to defend himself.

The suspect, Ronald Robinson of Homewood, fled the scene but was apprehended a short time later. In January 2013, Robinson stood trial for the murders of both Danyal Morton and Officer Crawshaw. During the trial, his defense attorney conceded his guilt but argued for a verdict of second-degree murder, which would spare him the death penalty. The prosecution presented evidence that included a 911 call made by Morton before he was killed.

Ultimately, the jury convicted Ronald Robinson of first-degree murder for the death of Danyal Morton and second-degree murder for the death of Patrolman Michael Crawshaw. He was subsequently sentenced to two consecutive life sentences in prison without the possibility of parole. Officer Crawshaw had served with the Penn Hills Police Department for two and a half years and was a former officer with the University of Pittsburgh Police Department.