Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Garrett Groomer was shot and killed while attempting to arrest five suspects who had just robbed a store in Warsaw, Missouri. The five suspects were arrested in Illinois and sent to two different jails. Three of the suspects escaped but they were all eventually taken back into custody. Four of the suspects were convicted of Sheriff Groomer's murder and sentenced to life in prison on December 9th, 1924. The fifth and youngest, only 18, testified against the others. He was was sentenced to 5 years and paroled on February 5, 1925. Another was paroled in 1942. On January 3, 1945, Sheriff Groomer's killer was stabbed to death by a fellow inmate at the state penitentiary. Sheriff Groomer was survived by his wife, son, and three daughters. Sheriff Groomer's wife was appointed sheriff the day after he was killed.
Survivors
Sheriff Groomer was survived by his wife, son, and three daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-8EE0B763- 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.
Sheriff Groomer served with the Benton County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Warsaw community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Groomer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Garrett Groomer 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 MO, 516 of 813 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.5% of this state's fallen. That is 9.3 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Benton County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Garrett Groomer's cause is highlighted.
How Garrett Groomer Compares
Offender Outcome
Killed in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Garrett Groomer is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Garrett Groomer was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Benton County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
