Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Dennis Griffin was shot and killed while transporting a prisoner to jail. The man had been arrested during a stakeout by Patrolman Griffin and another officer. Before being taken to jail, the man asked if he could go into his house to change and say goodbye to his wife. While inside, he was able to conceal a .45 caliber revolver in his pocket. When Patrolman Griffin and the man failed to report to the station, a search was begun. Patrolman Griffin's burned uniform was found three days later, and his body was found in a shallow grave nearby shortly thereafter. He had been shot once in the neck. The suspect fled the scene but was apprehended in Detroit, Michigan, the following month. He was sentenced to life but died after being shot while attempting to escape from prison. Patrolman Griffin served in the 14th Precinct. He was survived by his wife and 9-month-old son. He is buried in Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and 9-month-old son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-7F9C82AA- 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.
Patrolman Griffin served with the Cleveland Division of Police.
Thank you for your service to the Cleveland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Griffin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Dennis Griffin 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 OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 3.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Cleveland Division of Police, 83 of 119 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Dennis Griffin's cause is highlighted.
How Dennis Griffin Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Dennis Griffin is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Dennis Griffin was killed by handgun; .45 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
118 officers from Cleveland Division of Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
