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Incident
Sheriff McGriff was shot and killed at 8 p.m. as he and a group of law enforcement officers, including several deputies attempted to arrest an escaped mental patient. The armed suspect had returned to his home and his family wanted him removed. During the shootout a deputy was injured and both the suspect and Sheriff McGriff were killed. Sheriff McGriff had served in law enforcement for 24 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four adult children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
24 years. You could have gone home.
Sheriff McGriff gave the Story County Sheriff's Department 24 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Nevada community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff McGriff.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Charles is the only officer of Story County Sheriff's Department remembered here.
Charles is one of 129 officers killed feloniously in IA, 57.1% of the 226 remembered there.
Charles is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Charles 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 1941, 1 officer in IA was killed feloniously, the 32nd heaviest of 76 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 5.
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
Charles was 59. Of the 115 killed feloniously in IA whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 51; the middle age was 41. Charles had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Charles was 59. 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. Charles had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 59. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Charles had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 8.5% of these deaths in IA; July holds the most, 16.3%. Mondays: 14.7%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Story County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 226 deaths in IA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 18.6% 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.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 58-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Story County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.