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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Willard Griggs succumbed to a gunshot wound he sustained seven days earlier as he and a posse attempted to serve an eviction notice at a farm in Greenbush, New York.
The farmer and his family resisted the eviction and a shootout ensued in which Deputy Griggs was shot in the face. Several other deputies and posse members were also wounded, as well as members of the farmer's family.
Deputy Griggs underwent an operation to remove the bullet but died as a result of the wound seven days later.
Several members of the farmer's family were charged with Deputy Griggs' murder but acquitted at trial.
Deputy Griggs was survived by his wife and is buried at Sand Lake Union Cemetery, in Sand Lake, New York.
Survivors
Deputy Griggs was survived by his wife and is buried at Sand Lake Union Cemetery, in Sand Lake, New York.
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
157 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Griggs gave the Rensselaer County Sheriff's Office 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the Troy community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Willard is the only officer of Rensselaer County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Willard is one of 739 officers killed feloniously in NY, 34.7% of the 2,132 remembered there.
Willard is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Willard is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1869, 3 officers in NY were killed feloniously, the 77th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 32.
In 1869, 33 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 152nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1869, 35 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 152nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Willard was 60. Of the 671 killed feloniously in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 35. Willard had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Willard was 60. 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. Willard had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Willard was 60. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Willard had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 8.8% of these deaths in NY; September holds the most, 13.8%. Mondays: 15.3%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Rensselaer County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 34.7% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 3.7% 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; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 26-W
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