Prev
Roy Neil Griffin
Incident
Investigator Roy Griffin was shot and killed as he and his partner seized an illicit still in a home at 408 Castroville Road on the outskirts of San Antonio in Bexar County, Texas. As the federal law enforcement officers began dismantling and carrying off the still's main components for destruction, Investigator Griffin was shot in the neck and killed in an ambush by one of the bootleggers. The suspect who shot him was arrested. On November 12, 1941, the suspect, 63, was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment in a federal prison. When the verdict was read he replied "Don't you think that's rather severe for my first time in trouble." Prior to joining the Internal Revenue Service - Alcohol Tax Unit in 1936, Investigator Griffin had served with the United States Border Patrol for five years. He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter and was buried in the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio. He was three days short of his 60th birthday when he was killed.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter and was buried in the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtmy7ewavt90bzn6dz28q- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Roy. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Investigator Griffin gave the United States Department of the Treasury 10 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Investigator Griffin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
United States Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service - Alcohol Tax Unit has lost 30 officers; 12 of them killed feloniously.
Roy is one of 754 officers killed feloniously in DC, 53.1% of the 1,419 remembered there.
Roy is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Roy is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1941, 3 officers at United States Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service - Alcohol Tax Unit were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1941, 5 officers in DC were killed feloniously, the 50th heaviest of 159 years on record. The heaviest was 1922, with 20.
In 1941, 92 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 61st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1941, 260 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Roy was 59. Of the 10 killed feloniously at United States Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service - Alcohol Tax Unit whose age is recorded, half were between 37.3 and 49.8; the middle age was 42.5. Roy had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Roy was 59. Of the 580 killed feloniously in DC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 44; the middle age was 36. Roy had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Roy was 59. 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. Roy had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Roy was 59. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Roy had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 8.3% of these deaths at United States Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service - Alcohol Tax Unit; March holds the most, 16.7%. Mondays: 16.7%.
August holds 9.2% of these deaths in DC; July holds the most, 11.7%. Mondays: 14.9%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 40% of all 30 deaths at United States Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service - Alcohol Tax Unit, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.1% of all 1,419 deaths in DC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
United States Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service - Alcohol Tax Unit has 30 officers remembered here, Roy among them.
-
William Roy Blandford
May 12, 1934
-
Robert C. Nickerson Apr 11, 1935
-
William Rowland Braden Jul 22, 1935
-
William Louis Pappan
Dec 4, 1935
-
John Ruskin Foster
May 14, 1936
-
Donald C. Cleveland Nov 22, 1936
-
William Thomas Butler Jan 7, 1937
-
Wilford Winn Thomasson
Feb 14, 1937
-
William James Tennis Sep 28, 1937
-
William Edward Smith Dec 25, 1937
-
William Joseph Jackson, Jr.
Mar 8, 1938
-
William Franklin Berry
Mar 18, 1938
-
James Logan Molloy
Jan 31, 1939
-
Benjamin Richard Smallwood Jul 14, 1939
-
Norval Lee DeArmond Jan 1, 1940
-
Elvis Wesley Myrick Apr 3, 1940
-
Samuel Leeper Jul 31, 1940
-
Walter C. Guinn Jan 28, 1941
-
Robert Richard Evans Apr 19, 1941
-
Roy Neil Griffin
Aug 18, 1941
-
Frederick Lewis Regan Sep 28, 1941
-
William Milton Pugh
Nov 21, 1941
-
Randall Oakes Younger
Jun 1, 1943
-
Melvin John Clark Jun 17, 1947
-
Jesse Wilburn Jones
Mar 3, 1948
-
William Honkala Mar 7, 1948
-
Milton Henry Rogers
Jul 12, 1948
-
Merimon Hampton Barnes Apr 24, 1949
-
Earl Raymond Harrouff Jan 12, 1950
-
Oliver Holmes Cornelius
Feb 20, 1950
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 15-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
29 officers from United States Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service - Alcohol Tax Unit are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
