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Thomas P. Griffin
Incident
Location: Iowa Weapon: Handgun Offender: Sentenced to life
Special Agent Thomas Griffin was shot and killed while patrolling the Rock Island rail yard's in the area of SW 14th Street and Vine Street in Des Moines, Iowa, at approximately 8:00 pm.
He and another railroad detective were checking an area of tracks where frequent thefts occurred as trains staged outside of the switching yards. Agent Griffin observed two men stealing items from a boxcar and ordered them to halt. The men opened fire him, shooting with a .32 caliber handgun.
Both men were arrested, convicted of his murder, and sentenced to life in prison.
In December 1924 a subject was killed during a shootout with police in Mobile, Alabama, while fleeing New Orleans where he had murdered Patrolman Jacob Uhle during a bank robbery. The man had a hand written note confessing to Special Agent Griffin's murder in his possession, but an investigation was unable to determine if the man was ever in Des Moines and the convictions of both original subjects were upheld by the Supreme Court.
Special Agent Griffin had served with the Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific Railroad Police for several years. He was survived by his teenage daughter, sister, and three brothers. One of his brothers had previously served as the sheriff of Polk County, a second was also a special agent with the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad, and the third was a captain in the Des Moines Fire Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his teenage daughter, sister, and three brothers.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Agent Griffin gave the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Rock Island community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Griffin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department has lost 13 officers; 13 of them killed feloniously.
Thomas is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1923, 1 officer at Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department was killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 9 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 3.
In 1923, 7 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
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.
In 1923, 200 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 47. Of the 13 killed feloniously at Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 48; the middle age was 42. Thomas had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 3 years.
Thomas was 47. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 47. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 47. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 7.7% of these deaths at Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department; March holds the most, 23.1%. Thursdays: 23.1%.
November holds 9.6% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Thursdays: 15%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 13 deaths at Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 30.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 28.5% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department has 13 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
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Andrew Creason Sep 19, 1903
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Claude H. McDonald Mar 26, 1911
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Hugo P. A. Alvine
Dec 9, 1915
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Charles F. Artz
Jun 27, 1920
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Will C. Reed
Jul 4, 1920
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William E. Waers Jan 11, 1922
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Alfred Allen Gifford
Jun 27, 1922
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Thomas P. Griffin Nov 15, 1923
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Ralph Robinson Mar 31, 1926
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Archibald D. Brandon
Apr 19, 1931
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Rube Tom Pollock
Mar 8, 1934
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Edwin C. Shane Apr 17, 1934
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John W. Whitted Apr 17, 1934
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 35-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
