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John F. Gradon
Incident
Guard John Gradon and Guard Grant Dohner succumbed to head injuries sustained during an escape attempt at the Loxahatchee Road Prison. One of three inmates, age 22, hit both guards over the top of their heads with a stove poker, fracturing their skulls. All were serving sentences for robbery. Guard Dohner died at the scene. Guard Gradon died two weeks later. All three inmates were convicted of second degree murder. The killer was sentenced to life. One was sentenced to 30 years and the other to 20 years.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Guard Gradon served with the Florida State Road Department.
Thank you for your service to the Tallahassee community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Guard Gradon.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Florida State Road Department - State Convict Road Force has lost 6 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.2% of the 1,007 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
John 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 1953, 2 officers at Florida State Road Department - State Convict Road Force were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1953, 4 officers in FL were killed feloniously, the 48th heaviest of 143 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 10.
In 1953, 72 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 98th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1953, 72 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 104th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 68. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Florida State Road Department - State Convict Road Force whose age is recorded, half were between 54 and 59; the middle age was 56.
John was 68. Of the 496 killed feloniously in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44.3; the middle age was 36.
John was 68. 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.
John was 68. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
February holds 16.7% of these deaths at Florida State Road Department - State Convict Road Force; August holds the most, 33.3%. Sundays: 16.7%.
February holds 7.8% of these deaths in FL; April holds the most, 10.1%. Sundays: 15.9%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 6 deaths at Florida State Road Department - State Convict Road Force. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.2% of all 1,007 deaths in FL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.3% 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 blunt object, in 1.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.1% of these deaths.
His people
Florida State Road Department - State Convict Road Force has 6 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 16-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Florida State Road Department - State Convict Road Force are honored on badge.nw.
