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Ernest R. Grossguth
Incident
Correctional Officer Ernest Grossguth suffered a fatal heart attack shortly after breaking up a fight between several inmates in the Maximum Security prison.
Officer Grossguth was knocked to the ground while attempting to separate the inmates, but was able to help subdue them. Following the incident he returned to his post in Tower 4, where he was found unresponsive a short time later. Other officers were unable to revive him.
Officer Grossguth had served with the Rhode Island Department of Corrections for 34 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
34 years. You could have gone home.
Correctional Officer Grossguth gave the Rhode Island Department of Corrections 34 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the people of Rhode Island. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Correctional Officer Grossguth.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Rhode Island Department of Corrections has lost 5 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Ernest is one of 4 officers lost to cardiac events in RI, 7.3% of the 55 remembered there.
Ernest is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ernest is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.9% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1995, 18 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 17th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1995, 18 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 18th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Ernest was 64. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Ernest had served 34 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Ernest was 64. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Ernest had served 34 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
March holds 7.6% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Sundays: 13.9%.
March holds 7.6% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 13.9%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 20% of all 5 deaths at Rhode Island Department of Corrections, the 3rd most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 100% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 7.3% of all 55 deaths in RI, the 3rd most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 25% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 16.1% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.9% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 16% of these deaths.
His people
Rhode Island Department of Corrections has 5 officers remembered here, Ernest among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 37-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Rhode Island Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw.
