Incident
Sergeant Griffin was shot and killed during a burglary stakeout.
Sergeant Griffin and another officer were in a darkened home that they understood was to be burglarized. The other officer mistakenly shot him as he came around a corner responding to a broken window.
Four men were detained and one was charged with murder because it happened during the commission of a crime.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Sergeant Griffin served with the Jacksonville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Jacksonville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Griffin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Jacksonville Police Department has lost 33 officers; 25 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.3% of the 1,006 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William 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 1967, 1 officer at Jacksonville Police Department was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 23 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 2.
In 1967, 8 officers in FL were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 143 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 10.
In 1967, 105 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 48th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1967, 107 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 56th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
July holds 4% of these deaths at Jacksonville Police Department; May holds the most, 24%. Saturdays: 16%.
July holds 8.4% of these deaths in FL; April holds the most, 10.1%. Saturdays: 20.1%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75.8% of all 33 deaths at Jacksonville Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 52% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.3% of all 1,006 deaths in FL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 23.7% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Jacksonville Police Department has 33 officers remembered here, William among them.
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John Yeomans May 24, 1840
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Ignatio Andrea Apr 14, 1869
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William Johnson Apr 12, 1870
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Joseph Nelson Jun 26, 1880
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Carlton T. Lowe Feb 26, 1890
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Edward Minor Apr 5, 1895
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William E. Gruber Apr 28, 1897
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Henry H. Raley
Nov 29, 1900
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Hezekiah E. Hires
May 13, 1910
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Luther B. Henderson
Jan 26, 1911
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Napolean B. Hagan
Sep 22, 1913
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Benjamin Franklin Hagan
Aug 10, 1917
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James Shirley Booth Oct 16, 1918
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Charles F. Turknett
Sep 26, 1919
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Henry A. Everett
Jan 20, 1920
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William J. Kelly
Sep 3, 1924
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Jesse J. Barber
May 20, 1929
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L. M. Dyer May 23, 1929
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Willie D. Smith
Jan 19, 1930
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J. Thomas Watts May 5, 1933
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John P. Ellis
Sep 11, 1937
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Clarence E. Ballou
Sep 29, 1937
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Ellis V. Dyal
Jun 22, 1946
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Richard M. Scarborough
Jun 22, 1946
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Fred W. Higginbotham
Aug 18, 1947
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Robert Quincy Tucker
Dec 24, 1952
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Thomas A. Robinson, Jr. Dec 16, 1953
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Napolean B. Harvey Oct 2, 1956
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Charles Sea
May 24, 1959
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Ernest Charles Register Apr 20, 1960
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William E. McCooley
Sep 5, 1962
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William L. Griffin Jul 29, 1967
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Jake B. Edwards Feb 1, 1968
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 37-E
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