Roll of Honor
Incident
Sub-Patrolman Earl Grubb was shot and killed near the intersection of South Second Street and Ludlow Street after arresting a suspect at a New Year's dance.
Earlier in the evening, a dance committee member had taken a gun from the subject, and Sub-Patrolman Grubb had taken a second gun when arresting him. The subject was a parolee from Illinois and was the prime suspect in several burglaries in Hamilton.
At approximately 3 am, two other officers responded to take the suspect to the station. Patrolmen Grubb sat in the back seat with the suspect. Near the intersection of South Second and Ludlow streets, the suspect pulled out a third gun and shot Sub-Patrolman Grubb four times and another patrolman once. The patrolman, who was driving, shot the suspect three times, killing him.
Both patrolmen were taken to Mercy Hospital by ambulance. Sub-Patrolman Grubb died en route from one of the bullets that entered his chest and went through his lungs. He was pronounced dead at the hospital at 3:30 am.
Sub-Patrolman Grubb was a U.S. Army WWI veteran and had served with the Hamilton Police Department for just over four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-CC705EDB- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 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.
Sub-Patrolman Grubb gave the Hamilton Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hamilton community. Thank you 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 J. Grubb served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Sub-Patrolman Earl J. Grubb is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 3.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Hamilton Police Department, 7 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Earl J. Grubb's cause is highlighted.
How Earl J. Grubb Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Earl J. Grubb is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Earl J. Grubb was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Hamilton Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
