William "Will" Griffith

Marion County Sheriff's Department — Jefferson, TX

Felonious

End of Watch July 6, 1904

Age 30

The Vigil Panel 19 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 4

Incident

A.L. (Ab) Allen had a record of arrests for drunkenness, gambling, horse racing and fighting. On April 15, 1884, Allen was armed with a pistol and drinking when an argument ensued, and Allen shot and killed Robert Pastian. Allen was convicted and sentenced to the state penitentiary for 60 years. About 1900 Allen was pardoned and returned to Marion County. Allen was again arrested for being drunk and fighting. On one occasion he was armed and threatened the sheriff and a deputy who tried to arrest him. On another occasion, he allegedly disarmed Deputy Sheriff Will Griffith and struck him on the head with a pistol. Bystanders intervened to prevent further violence.

On July 6, 1904, Ab Allen and Deputy Will Griffith met in front of the Star Saloon on Austin Street in Jefferson. A few words passed between them when Allen shot Deputy Griffith with a shot gun, which he had borrowed for the purpose of shooting his son, Ernest Allen, or Deputy Griffith. He allegedly met Deputy Griffith first, so the shooting commenced. Deputy Griffith pulled his pistol and fired several shots, striking Allen in the groin. Allen went into the saloon and fell to the floor and died minutes later. Deputy Griffith was shot in the bowels, and was taken to Dr. Armstrong’s office where he died at 7:30 p.m.

William “Will” Griffith was buried in Section L of the Oakwood Cemetery, Jefferson, Marion County. No marker located.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and at least one son.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-TX-F8650CF3
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.
Deputy Sheriff Griffith served with the Marion County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Jefferson community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Griffith.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Marion County Sheriff's Department

Location Jefferson, TX

Platform Identity mcso.marion.tx.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 6, 1904

Age 30

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Shotgun; 12 gauge

Offender Killed

Deputy Sheriff William "Will" 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 TX, 1,463 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Marion County Sheriff's Department, 3 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60% of this agency's fallen.

Marion County Sheriff's Department

of 5 officers

60% Felonious

TX — Statewide

1,463

of 2,421 officers

60.4% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious