William Smith Grubb

United States Department of Justice - Bureau of Prohibition — Washington, DC

Felonious

End of Watch March 31, 1933

Age 33

The Vigil Panel 66 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 34

Incident

Special Agent William Grubb was killed when he was crushed between a vehicle and a telephone pole while attempting to arrest a liquor smuggler in San Francisco, California. He had jumped onto the running board of the smuggler's car at the Hyde Street ferry slip as it sped away. The suspect, who had been a federal fugitive for several years, was charged with Agent Grubb's murder but acquitted at trial.

Survivors

Agent Grubb was survived by his wife and two children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-FED-23777CA4
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.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew William. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Agent Grubb served with the United States Department of Justice.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Grubb.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department United States Department of Justice - Bureau of Prohibition

Location Washington, DC

Platform Identity usdjbpfed.fed.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 31, 1933

Age 33

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Automobile

Offender Acquitted

Special Agent William Smith Grubb 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 Justice - Bureau of Prohibition, 22 of 35 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 62.9% of this agency's fallen.

United States Department of Justice - Bureau of Prohibition

of 35 officers

62.9% Felonious

DC — Statewide

754

of 1,419 officers

53.1% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious