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Incident
Trooper Drew Griffith was killed when his patrol car was struck by an ice truck in Warren. He was making a U-turn on a two-lane road to pursue a speeding driver when the truck struck his patrol car on the driver's side door. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Trooper Griffith's canine partner was slightly injured in the crash. Trooper Griffith had served with the Maine State Police for 10 years. He is survived by his wife and four children. His daughter joined the Maine State Police in 2014. In 2021, Route 1, beginning at the intersection with Dexter St and extending south one mile in Thomaston, was dedicated to Trooper James Drew Griffith.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and four 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Trooper Griffith gave the Maine State Police 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Maine. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Griffith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Maine State Police has lost 12 officers; 7 of them lost to accidents.
James is one of 33 officers lost to accidents in ME, 38.4% of the 86 remembered there.
James is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1996, 1 officer at Maine State Police was lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1996, 1 officer in ME was lost to accidents, the 5th heaviest of 29 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 2.
In 1996, 49 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 98th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1996, 57 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 94th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
James was 34. Of the 7 lost to accidents at Maine State Police whose age is recorded, half were between 26.5 and 30; the middle age was 27. James had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 1 years.
James was 34. Of the 31 lost to accidents in ME whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45.5; the middle age was 33. James had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
James was 34. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. James had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 34. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. James had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 28.6% of these deaths at Maine State Police; August holds the most, 42.9%. Mondays: 14.3%.
April holds 9.1% of these deaths in ME; November holds the most, 21.2%. Mondays: 12.1%.
April holds 7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
April holds 7% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 58.3% of all 12 deaths at Maine State Police, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 38.4% of all 86 deaths in ME, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Maine State Police has 12 officers remembered here, James among them.
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Emery O. Gooch
Aug 9, 1924
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Fred A. Foster
Aug 30, 1925
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Frank C. Wing
Aug 19, 1928
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Charles Clinton Black
Jul 9, 1964
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Thomas J. Merry
Jul 12, 1980
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Michael R. Veilleux
Jun 17, 1986
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Giles R. Landry
Mar 31, 1989
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Rene Albert Goupil
Jan 23, 1990
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Jeffrey Parola
Nov 13, 1994
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James A. Griffith
Apr 15, 1996
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Glenn Strange
Oct 17, 1997
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Benjamin James Campbell
Apr 3, 2019
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 25-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Maine State Police are honored on badge.nw.
