Roll of Honor
John F. Gradon
Incident
Guard John Gradon and Guard Grant Dohner succumbed to head injuries sustained during an escape attempt at the Loxahatchee Road Prison. One of three inmates, age 22, hit both guards over the top of their heads with a stove poker, fracturing their skulls. All were serving sentences for robbery. Guard Dohner died at the scene. Guard Gradon died two weeks later. All three inmates were convicted of second degree murder. The killer was sentenced to life. One was sentenced to 30 years and the other to 20 years.
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BO-US-FL-22C42DE2- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Guard Gradon served with the Florida State Road Department.
Thank you for your service to the Tallahassee community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Guard Gradon.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Guard John F. Gradon 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 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 53.5 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Florida State Road Department - State Convict Road Force, 6 of 6 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. John F. Gradon's cause is highlighted.
How John F. Gradon Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John F. Gradon is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John F. Gradon was killed by blunt object.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Florida State Road Department - State Convict Road Force are honored on badge.nw.
