Crowe died after a riding mower went over a cliff near Belle Shoals Road.
PICKENS, S.C. — Richard Crowe, a retired Pickens County E-911 leader remembered for keeping emergency lines working in difficult conditions, died Tuesday after a riding mower went over a cliff, officials said.
Crowe, 68, had retired in 2024 after serving as the county’s director of E-911. His death drew tributes from county officials, former co-workers and relatives who described him as a steady figure in local public safety. The Pickens County Coroner’s Office said Crowe died after the mower went over a 15- to 20-foot cliff near Belle Shoals Road.
Officers responded about 9:05 p.m. Tuesday to a home near Belle Shoals Road and Amberwood Road. The coroner’s office identified Crowe as the victim and said there were no other vehicles involved. An autopsy was ordered to determine the cause and manner of death. The sheriff’s office and coroner’s office are investigating.
The Pickens County Sheriff’s Office said Crowe worked with deputies and communications specialists across more than two decades of county service. The office said he was known for helping employees when problems came up. In a memorial statement, the sheriff’s office extended condolences to Crowe’s family and called his work an honor to the county.
Those who worked with Crowe said his service often happened out of public view. Friend and former co-worker Megan Lowry said he would work through stormy nights to keep 911 lines operating. Keith Gravley, Crowe’s son-in-law, said Crowe “ran the entire communication system for the county” and was always available when others needed him.
Crowe’s retirement had included work on a greenhouse, relatives said. The coroner’s office called him a dear friend to many and a public servant at heart. Officials have not said whether weather, terrain, equipment failure or another factor played a role in the mower’s fall.
A celebration of life was planned for Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Pickens County Administration Building. As of Sunday, authorities had not released autopsy results or a final finding in the investigation.
Author note: Last updated June 28, 2026.