Hero Down: Calhoun County Lt. William McCroan Dies In Plane Crash On Retirement Day

Blountstown, FL – Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) Lieutenant William “Randy” McCroan died in a plane crash on May 3.

The 56-year-old off-duty lieutenant and three other men were taking off from the Calhoun County Airport in a personal airplane when the crash occurred at approximately 4:40 p.m., Calhoun County Sheriff Glenn Kimbrel told WJHG.

Lt. McCroan and Steve Mears, a former police officer and sheriff’s deputy, were killed in the crash, the CCSO said in a press release the following day.

Two other passengers remained hospitalized with severe injuries.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is working to determine why the Cessna 172 crashed, according to WCTV.

“We, at the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Calhoun County community, are grieving the loss of two of our brothers,” the sheriff’s office said. “Lt. Randy McCroan and Steve Mears, Jr. were killed in an airplane crash yesterday evening at the Calhoun County Airport. Two other individuals in the plane were severely injured in the crash.”

Sheriff Kimbrel said Lt. McCroan had just wrapped up his last shift before retiring when the fatal crash occurred, WCTV reported.

“He made a comment basically to his friend and asked what are you going to do now that you’re retiring? He responded: ‘I’m going to go and enjoy life,’” the sheriff recalled.

Lt. McCroan joined the CCSO on Nov. 1, 1991.

He spent the next 30-plus years serving his department as a deputy, helicopter pilot, and school resource officer, the CCSO said.

Lt. McCroan also served as an Altha Police Department reserve officer during his career, according to his obituary.

“He was looking forward to retirement and served his last day as SRO on Tuesday, May 3,” the CCSO said. “He was killed the same evening, doing what he loved – flying.”

Lt. McCroan leaves behind his wife of 28 years, Treva, as well as his children, Greyson and Randa, and his granddaughter, Emmie Lou, according to his obituary.

He is also survived by his mother, siblings, nephews, and nieces.

Lt. McCroan will be laid to rest on May 15.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant William “Randy” McCroan, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.

Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.