Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Elmer Griffin was shot and killed while apprehending bootleggers who were smuggling whiskey during Prohibition. Officer Griffin stopped a car for speeding. He had a hunch that it was a booze car so, with the assistance of Officer Robert Bence, the four occupants along with their vehicle were thoroughly searched. They found 150 pints and half-pints of unlabeled whiskey underneath the rear seat, neatly wrapped in paper, and covered with blankets. After informing the four they were under arrest, Bence ordered the men back inside the car and instructed them to drive to the San Gabriel jail. Both officers stood on the running boards of the booze car as it pulled away from the curb. With their eyes focused on the occupants, their hands firmly clutched the wooden grips of their revolvers, prepared for any emergency that might arise. As the two officers looked down the road toward the jail, they occasionally cast a glimpse at their charges. It was completely unexpected when one of the suspects, placed a .38 caliber revolver on the window sill of the right passenger door and pressed the barrel firmly against the stomach of the Officer Griffin. Within a matter of seconds, a series of explosions filled the once quiet night. Tumbling to the pavement, Griffin screamed out in horror that he had been shot. The gunfire continued as a different suspect pointed his revolver out the window and fired a round toward Bence. Bence did not completely comprehend what had happened until he too fell off the running board and onto the ground. Although seriously wounded, Officer Griffin was able to fire three rounds towards two of the suspects who were fleeing on foot. One of the three rounds struck one of the suspects in the left shoulder. Bence, by this time, got to his feet and began firing his revolver towards the men as they were exiting the vehicle. One round struck the suspect who had shot Officer Griffin in the left hip; however; neither he nor his accomplice was fazed by
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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
You barely got started.
Police Officer Griffin gave the San Gabriel Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the San Gabriel community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Griffin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Elmer H. Griffin is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 53 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At San Gabriel Police Department, 2 of 2 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. Elmer H. Griffin's cause is highlighted.
How Elmer H. Griffin Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Elmer H. Griffin is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Elmer H. Griffin was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from San Gabriel Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
