Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Thomas Griffiths was shot and killed after arresting a man for slashing another man with a razor during an argument at a bar. As Patrolman Griffiths walked the man to a police call box the man broke away and ran from the officer. As Patrolman Griffiths chased him the man turned and shot him twice in the upper body. As Patrolman Griffiths fell to his knees the man shot him again in the head, killing him. The suspect fled but was apprehended later that evening. The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. In 1915 he escaped from the Utah State Penitentiary. In May of 1932 he was located in an Italian prison where he was serving a sentence for robbery. Italian officials told Utah officials that he would be returned to them as soon as he completed his sentence. Patrolman Griffiths had served with the agency for 6 years. He was survived by his wife and six children. He is buried in Salt Lake City Cemetery, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-UT-1FF1B74A- 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 Griffiths gave the Salt Lake City Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Salt Lake City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Griffiths.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Thomas F. Griffiths 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 UT, 84 of 138 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.9% of this state's fallen. That is 6.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Salt Lake City Police Department, 14 of 23 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas F. Griffiths's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas F. Griffiths Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas F. Griffiths is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas F. Griffiths was killed by handgun; .32 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
22 officers from Salt Lake City Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
