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Incident
Patrolman Thomas Griffiths was shot and killed after arresting a man for slashing another man with a razor during an argument at a bar. As Patrolman Griffiths walked the man to a police call box the man broke away and ran from the officer. As Patrolman Griffiths chased him the man turned and shot him twice in the upper body. As Patrolman Griffiths fell to his knees the man shot him again in the head, killing him. The suspect fled but was apprehended later that evening. The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. In 1915 he escaped from the Utah State Penitentiary. In May of 1932 he was located in an Italian prison where he was serving a sentence for robbery. Italian officials told Utah officials that he would be returned to them as soon as he completed his sentence. Patrolman Griffiths had served with the agency for 6 years. He was survived by his wife and six children. He is buried in Salt Lake City Cemetery, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
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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.
Patrolman Griffiths gave the Salt Lake City Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Salt Lake City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Griffiths.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Salt Lake City Police Department has lost 23 officers; 14 of them killed feloniously.
Thomas is one of 84 officers killed feloniously in UT, 60.9% of the 138 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 1913, 1 officer at Salt Lake City Police Department was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 12 years on record. The heaviest was 1923, with 2.
In 1913, 6 officers in UT were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1913, 133 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1913, 136 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 38th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 39. Of the 11 killed feloniously at Salt Lake City Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 35 and 50.5; the middle age was 41. Thomas had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Thomas was 39. Of the 78 killed feloniously in UT whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 47; the middle age was 39. Thomas had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Thomas was 39. 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 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 39. 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 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 7.1% of these deaths at Salt Lake City Police Department; October holds the most, 21.4%. Wednesdays: 21.4%.
June holds 7.1% of these deaths in UT; May holds the most, 14.3%. Wednesdays: 11.9%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 60.9% of all 23 deaths at Salt Lake City Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 57.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.9% of all 138 deaths in UT, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 31% 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
Salt Lake City Police Department has 23 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
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William Cooke Oct 18, 1858
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Andrew H. Burt
Aug 25, 1883
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Alonzo M. Wilson
Apr 12, 1894
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Charles S. Ford
Dec 14, 1907
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Charles C. Riley
Oct 5, 1909
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John H. Johnston
Jul 8, 1911
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Thomas F. Griffiths
Jun 25, 1913
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Green B. Hamby
Feb 8, 1921
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Nephi P. Pierce
Mar 26, 1923
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David H. Crowther
Oct 12, 1923
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Nolan W. Huntsman
Feb 15, 1924
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Brigham H. Honey
Feb 16, 1924
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Gustave J. Lund
Aug 25, 1924
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Rollin R. Tanner
Sep 10, 1927
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Carl J. Carlson
Mar 9, 1929
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Blaine L. Baxter
Sep 4, 1935
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Thomas W. Stroud
Jan 5, 1951
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Owen T. Farley
May 23, 1951
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Harold A. Peterson, Sr.
Oct 27, 1954
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Percy Lindsay Clark
Jan 11, 1973
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Ronald L. Heaps
Jan 13, 1982
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Michael J. Dunman
Jul 17, 2000
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James E. Faraone
Sep 18, 2001
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 34-W
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Others Who Wore This Badge
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