Roll of Honor
Roy Neil Griffin
Incident
Investigator Roy Griffin was shot and killed as he and his partner seized an illicit still in a home at 408 Castroville Road on the outskirts of San Antonio in Bexar County, Texas. As the federal law enforcement officers began dismantling and carrying off the still's main components for destruction, Investigator Griffin was shot in the neck and killed in an ambush by one of the bootleggers. The suspect who shot him was arrested. On November 12, 1941, the suspect, 63, was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment in a federal prison. When the verdict was read he replied "Don't you think that's rather severe for my first time in trouble." Prior to joining the Internal Revenue Service - Alcohol Tax Unit in 1936, Investigator Griffin had served with the United States Border Patrol for five years. He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter and was buried in the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio. He was three days short of his 60th birthday when he was killed.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter and was buried in the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FED-F367D73C- 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.
Investigator Griffin gave the United States Department of the Treasury 10 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Investigator Griffin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Investigator Roy Neil 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 DC, 754 of 1,419 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.1% of this state's fallen. That is 1.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At United States Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service - Alcohol Tax Unit, 12 of 30 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. Roy Neil Griffin's cause is highlighted.
How Roy Neil Griffin Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Roy Neil Griffin is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Roy Neil Griffin was killed by shotgun; 12 gauge.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
29 officers from United States Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service - Alcohol Tax Unit are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
