Roll of Honor
Incident
Trooper Fred Groves succumbed to his gunshot wound when he was shot after making a traffic stop in Palm Beach County. The stop occurred along the southbound lanes of the Florida Turnpike two miles north of Okeechobee Road in West Palm Beach. As Trooper Groves searched the trunk of the car, he was shot in the neck by a passenger when he discovered a suitcase full of marijuana. He was transported to Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center, where he succumbed to his wound three days later. The suspect and the driver were arrested the next day. The 21-year-old suspect was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison on March 27, 1987. His accomplice was convicted of third-degree murder and sentenced to seven years. Trooper Groves had served with the Florida Highway Patrol for 14 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-C0DB6800- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Trooper Groves gave the Florida Highway Patrol 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Florida. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Groves.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Trooper Frederick J. Groves, Jr. 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 FL, 539 of 1,008 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.5% of this state's fallen. That is 0.7 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Florida Highway Patrol, 23 of 54 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Frederick J. Groves, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Frederick J. Groves, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Frederick J. Groves, Jr. is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Frederick J. Groves, Jr. was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
53 officers from Florida Highway Patrol are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
