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Incident
Detective Russell Grower was shot and killed as he and two other detectives from separate agencies went to Soquel Canyon to investigate a gang of tire thieves. When a suspect answered the door of his cabin he attempted to shut it on Detective Grower when he identified himself as a police officer. The suspect then shot Detective Grower in the head. The suspect, 34, a former secret service agent with the U.S. Air Force Intelligence Service, had been released from a Arkansas mental hospital in October of 1957. He was apprehended the next day and later returned to a maximum security prison for the criminally insane. Detective Grower was a U.S. Air Force World War II veteran who was shot down over Germany and held prisoner for 13 months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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.
Detective Grower gave the Ontario Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Ontario 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
Russell G. Grower served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Ontario Police Department has lost 4 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Russell is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Russell is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Russell 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 1958, 11 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 15th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1958, 63 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 119th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1958, 69 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Russell was 34. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Russell had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Russell was 34. 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. Russell had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Russell was 34. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Russell had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 8.6% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15.1%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 4 deaths at Ontario Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 26.9% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Ontario Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Russell among them.
Where
Military Service
Russell G. Grower served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Russell G. Grower’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 3-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Ontario Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
