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Dennis Griffin
Agency patch
Patrolman

Dennis Griffin

Cleveland Division of Police — Cleveland, OH
Felonious
United States flag Ohio flag
End of Watch May 11, 1923
Age 47
The Vigil Panel 106 · Column 2 · Line 11 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 118

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

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August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 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

Department Cleveland Division of Police
Type Other
Location Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, OH
Platform Identity cdpd.cuyahoga.oh.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 11, 1923
Age 47
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Dennis is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  3. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1923, 199 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Dennis was 47. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Cleveland Division of Police has 119 officers remembered here, Dennis among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman Dennis Griffin

Cleveland Division of Police · End of Watch May 11, 1923

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 28-W

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