Roll of Honor
John Gribbin
Incident
Dispensary Constable John Gribbin was shot and killed during an altercation with a father and his three sons on Main Street across from the passenger station in Blackville.
Constable Gribbin searched a case of clothing in the train depot at about 1:00 pm and found illegal liquor brought into the state in violation of the dispensary act. About an hour later the father of the contraband's owner approached Constable Gribbin on the street, accusing him of persecution. The man's three sons then joined the argument and a fight ensued. After a few blows, one of the sons drew his gun and shot Constable Gribbin several times. Constable Gribbin returned fire and killed one of the sons. More shots were fired at Constable Gribbin as he fled to a nearby store, where he died a few minutes later as a result of being shot in the shoulder, chest, and back.
One of the sons was killed after being shot by Constable Gribben and an unknown bystander. The father and the two sons who survived were charged with Constable Gribbin's murder but were acquitted.
Constable Gribbin was a British and U.S. Army veteran. He had served with the South Carolina State Constable for over one year and had previously served as the marshal of Blackville.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-SC-B94C6ED3- 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.
Dispensary Constable Gribbin gave the South Carolina State Dispensary Commission 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Columbia 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
John Gribbin served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Dispensary Constable John Gribbin 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 SC, 271 of 438 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.9% of this state's fallen. That is 7.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At South Carolina State Dispensary Commission, 9 of 9 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 Gribbin's cause is highlighted.
How John Gribbin Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Gribbin is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from South Carolina State Dispensary Commission are honored on badge.nw.
