Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Earl Griffith was shot and killed when he and his partner stopped to investigate a parked car on the Purdy Highway (U.S. Route 395), a few hundred yards over the Nevada - California border in Sierra County, California. The deputies were investigating the car after two service stations had been robbed in Susanville earlier in the evening. Around 11:15 p.m., Deputy Griffith was shot when he ordered one of the men out of the car while his partner searched a juvenile in the passenger seat. His partner was also wounded in the shootout. The two suspects then fled the scene but were apprehended a short time later. The suspect who killed Deputy Griffith was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in Folsom Prison. On October 11th, 1949, he stabbed a fellow inmate to death. He was convicted of first-degree murder and executed in the gas chamber on February 8th, 1957. Deputy Griffith was a United States Army WWI veteran and had served with the Washoe County Sheriff's Office for at least 7 years. He was survived by his three sons. Deputy Griffith is buried at Roseville Public Cemetary District in Roseville, Placer County in California.
Survivors
He was survived by his three sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NV-EE70B93B- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Sheriff Griffith gave the Washoe County Sheriff's Office 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Reno community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Earl Griffith served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Deputy Sheriff Earl Griffith 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 NV, 81 of 145 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 55.9% of this state's fallen. That is 1.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Washoe County Sheriff's Office, 1 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 16.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Earl Griffith's cause is highlighted.
How Earl Griffith Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Earl Griffith is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Earl Griffith was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Washoe County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
