Raymond H. Griffin
Agency patch
Patrolman

Raymond H. Griffin

Cleveland Division of Police — Cleveland, OH
Felonious
End of Watch May 30, 1938
Age 29
Tour of Duty 4 yrs
Badge 515
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Raymond Griffin was killed during a robbery attempt. A lady overheard the robbery and gunshots and called the police after she observed Patrolman Griffin lying on the ground. He was still alive when other officers arrived, despite being shot five times. He was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. The shooter was sentenced to prison in 1946 after pleading guilty to several robberies. Patrolman Griffin was often detailed to drive for Mayor Harold H. Burton and Safety Director Eliot Ness. Eight weeks earlier, he shot and killed an armed robber in front of the Public Music Hall. Patrolman Griffin had served with the Cleveland Division of Police for three years. He was survived by his wife of thirteen months, brother, and sister. He was preceded in death by one brother and two sisters.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife of thirteen months, brother, and sister.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpffjfddby4x5h5p99ck
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Raymond. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Griffin gave the Cleveland Division of Police 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cleveland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Griffin.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Other
Location Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, OH
Platform Identity cdpd.cuyahoga.oh.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 30, 1938
Tour of Duty 4 yrs
Age 29
Badge Number 515
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Raymond is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.

34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
  2. See the roll
Compare against
I

Time

In 1938, 111 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 45th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Raymond was 29. 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. Raymond had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

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.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Cleveland Division of Police has 119 officers remembered here, Raymond among them.

Across the years

Patrolman Raymond H. Griffin

Cleveland Division of Police · End of Watch May 30, 1938

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 2-W

↑