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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Earl Griffith was shot and killed when he and his partner stopped to investigate a parked car on the Purdy Highway (U.S. Route 395), a few hundred yards over the Nevada - California border in Sierra County, California. The deputies were investigating the car after two service stations had been robbed in Susanville earlier in the evening. Around 11:15 p.m., Deputy Griffith was shot when he ordered one of the men out of the car while his partner searched a juvenile in the passenger seat. His partner was also wounded in the shootout. The two suspects then fled the scene but were apprehended a short time later. The suspect who killed Deputy Griffith was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in Folsom Prison. On October 11th, 1949, he stabbed a fellow inmate to death. He was convicted of first-degree murder and executed in the gas chamber on February 8th, 1957. Deputy Griffith was a United States Army WWI veteran and had served with the Washoe County Sheriff's Office for at least 7 years. He was survived by his three sons. Deputy Griffith is buried at Roseville Public Cemetary District in Roseville, Placer County in California.
Survivors
He was survived by his three sons.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Sheriff Griffith gave the Washoe County Sheriff's Office 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Reno community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Earl Griffith served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Washoe County Sheriff's Office has lost 6 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Earl is one of 82 officers killed feloniously in NV, 56.2% of the 146 remembered there.
Earl is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Earl is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1947, 3 officers in NV were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 62 years on record. The heaviest was 1979, with 4.
In 1947, 86 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 74th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1947, 87 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 78th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Earl was 52. Of the 70 killed feloniously in NV whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 46; the middle age was 37. Earl had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Earl was 52. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Earl had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Earl was 52. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Earl had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 7.3% of these deaths in NV; October holds the most, 13.4%. Tuesdays: 14.6%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 16.7% of all 6 deaths at Washoe County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 56.2% of all 146 deaths in NV, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 15.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Washoe County Sheriff's Office has 6 officers remembered here, Earl among them.
Where
Military Service
Earl Griffith served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Earl Griffith’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 2-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Washoe County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
