Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Harold Griffin was shot and killed while attempting to serve a warrant to assist a woman in retrieving furniture from her husband's home. The husband opened fire, killing Sheriff Griffin and seriously wounding his wife and bystander. The suspect was arrested while trying to take his wife to the hospital. The 55-year-old suspect was adjudged insane and committed at the Central State Hospital in Nashville. Sheriff Griffin had served with the Wilson County Sheriff's Department for 2 years. He was survived by his wife and three sons. His wife was appointed sheriff and finished his term in office.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-C3DD2D74- 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.
Sheriff Griffin gave the Wilson County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Lebanon community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Griffin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Harold Griffin 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 TN, 498 of 769 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64.8% of this state's fallen. That is 10.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Wilson County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 40% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Harold Griffin's cause is highlighted.
How Harold Griffin Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Harold Griffin is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Harold Griffin was killed by handgun; .25 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Wilson County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
