Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer William Griffiths was shot and killed during the foot pursuit of a suspect who had murdered Officer Thomas Clifford earlier in the evening. Officer Clifford was shot and killed while confronting three drunken U.S. Army soldiers who had just been thrown out of a saloon. As the three were leaving Officer Clifford demanded that the men relinquish their weapons. One of the soldiers then drew his weapon and shot Officer Clifford, killing him. During the ensuing search the suspect shot and killed Officer William Griffiths under the 16th Street Bridge. The suspect was identified by the other two soldiers but he was never apprehended after a long search in which local police stopped most soldiers walking the streets.
Survivors
Officer Griffiths was survived by his wife and 4-year-old daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CO-2DE9251D- 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
127 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Officer Griffiths served with the Denver Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Denver community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer William E. Griffiths 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 CO, 235 of 360 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 65.3% of this state's fallen. That is 11.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Denver Police Department, 55 of 74 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 74.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William E. Griffiths's cause is highlighted.
How William E. Griffiths Compares
Offender Outcome
Not available
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William E. Griffiths is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William E. Griffiths was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
73 officers from Denver Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
