Holly MatkinBrookville, IN – Anderson Police Department (APD) Detective Larry Crenshaw died on Oct. 4, after being stung by as many as 50 hornets while out hunting with a friend.
The 59-year-old detective and his friend were taking down a deer stand in a wooded area near Brookville when they were attacked by the hornet swarm, The Herald Bulletin reported.
Det. Crenshaw was stung “between 40 and 50 times,” Rush County Coroner Ron Jarman told the paper.
Shortly after he was stung, the detective “began to have issues with shortness of breath and collapsed in the woods,” Jarman told People.
The men did not have a cell phone with them, but managed to make their way to a home to call for help.
Det. Crenshaw was transported to Rushville hospital while suffering from what appeared to be an allergic reaction, Franklin County Coroner Brian Baxter told The Herald Bulletin.
He passed away a short while later.
Det. Crenshaw’s accidental death was determined to have been caused by a heart attack that was triggered by the allergic reaction, People reported.
His friend survived the attack, but his condition is unknown, WPTZ reported.
“Larry was a skilled and respected officer who will be missed by his friends at the Anderson Police Department,” APD told People in a statement. “He made an indelible impression upon people, wherever he went.”
Det. Crenshaw graduated from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in 1994, according to his obituary.
During his 26-year career with the APD, Det. Crenshaw spent six years as a patrol officer, four years as the police chief, and 20 years as a detective, The Herald Bulletin reported.
“Larry was a great father and devoted husband,” former Anderson Mayor Kevin Smith said. “He cared deeply for the police officers and the people of Anderson. He was a dynamic person that loved his family, which was his main focus.”
Det. Crenshaw, a Republican, was also elected as a Madison County Council at-large member in both 2004 and 2008, The Herald Bulletin reported.
He spent many years serving as an Anderson Community School Corporation security officer, according to his obituary.
“Larry was a loving husband, dad, and Poppy,” the tribute read. “Larry was quite the family man and adored his entire family.”
Det. Crenshaw leaves behind his wife of 39 years, Laura, as well as his children, Lindsay, Keely, and Hogan.
He is also survived by his siblings, grandchildren, in-laws, nieces, one nephew, and his “second family,” Barry and Wilma Gaar and Barb Walton, according to his obituary.
Det. Crenshaw was laid to rest on Oct. 9.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Detective Larry Crenshaw of the Anderson Police Department. #ThinBlueLine pic.twitter.com/QhSDdxDnJS
— Chesterfield Police (@Chesterfield_PD) October 5, 2020
Our thoughts and prayers to the family, friends and all of #AndersonPD @cityofanderson in the sudden passing of Det. Larry Crenshaw. #RIP #ThinBlueLine pic.twitter.com/tjHKuob7ZV
— Greenfield Police (@GreenfieldIN_PD) October 6, 2020
And counter drugs are federal I asked you guys to set up a sting on the Pony strip club Evansville Indiana now I consider all this to be turned into law enforcement when I have done thank you and God bless you all
— Charlie Cole The Bastard Is Was Used (@charlie_used) October 5, 2020
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Anderson Police Department Detective Larry Crenshaw, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
