Incident
Officer Griffin Lanford was shot and killed after he and his partner interrupted a burglary in the 2400 block of North Prarie Avenue. Officer Lanford was fatally shot by the burglar. His partner wounded the suspect, who was later arrested and executed. Officer Lanford had served with the Dallas Police Department for six years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, three brothers, and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-2570123F- 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.
Officer Lanford gave the Dallas Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Dallas community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Lanford.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Sam Griffin Lanford 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 TX, 1,463 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Dallas Police Department, 55 of 95 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Sam Griffin Lanford's cause is highlighted.
How Sam Griffin Lanford Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Sam Griffin Lanford is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Sam Griffin Lanford was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
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