Roll of Honor
Incident
Lieutenant William Gruber was beaten to death while investigating the murder of an infant that had occurred the previous week.
He had returned to the crime scene when he was attacked by an unknown individual. He suffered a fractured skull and died at the scene. His body was found the next morning and his revolver had been stolen. Two men were apprehended.
Lt. Gruber, On today, the 125th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Jacksonville. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
R.I.P. USBP
Anonymous United States Border Patrol April 28th, 2022
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-8C6095FE- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
129 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Lieutenant Gruber served with the Jacksonville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Jacksonville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Lieutenant William E. Gruber is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,756 officers honored here.
In FL, 539 of 1,008 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.5% of this state's fallen. That is 53.5 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Jacksonville Police Department, 25 of 33 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75.8% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William E. Gruber's cause is highlighted.
How William E. Gruber Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William E. Gruber is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William E. Gruber was killed by blunt object.
Others Who Wore This Badge
32 officers from Jacksonville Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
