Roll of Honor
Thomas P. Griffin
Incident
Location: Iowa Weapon: Handgun Offender: Sentenced to life
Special Agent Thomas Griffin was shot and killed while patrolling the Rock Island rail yard's in the area of SW 14th Street and Vine Street in Des Moines, Iowa, at approximately 8:00 pm.
He and another railroad detective were checking an area of tracks where frequent thefts occurred as trains staged outside of the switching yards. Agent Griffin observed two men stealing items from a boxcar and ordered them to halt. The men opened fire him, shooting with a .32 caliber handgun.
Both men were arrested, convicted of his murder, and sentenced to life in prison.
In December 1924 a subject was killed during a shootout with police in Mobile, Alabama, while fleeing New Orleans where he had murdered Patrolman Jacob Uhle during a bank robbery. The man had a hand written note confessing to Special Agent Griffin's murder in his possession, but an investigation was unable to determine if the man was ever in Des Moines and the convictions of both original subjects were upheld by the Supreme Court.
Special Agent Griffin had served with the Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific Railroad Police for several years. He was survived by his teenage daughter, sister, and three brothers. One of his brothers had previously served as the sheriff of Polk County, a second was also a special agent with the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad, and the third was a captain in the Des Moines Fire Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his teenage daughter, sister, and three brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-RR-1C027EA6- 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.
Special Agent Griffin gave the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Rock Island community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Griffin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Agent Thomas P. 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 IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 9.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department, 13 of 13 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas P. Griffin's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas P. Griffin Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas P. Griffin is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas P. Griffin was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
