Headstone of Russell Grower

Russell Grower

1958

Russell G. Grower.

How He Died
Manner Homicide
Cause Gunshot wound
Mechanism Firearm
What Happened
Detective Russell Grower was shot and killed as he and two other detectives from separate agencies went to Soquel Canyon to investigate a gang of tire thieves. When a suspect answered the door of his cabin he attempted to shut it on Detective Grower when he identified himself as a police officer. The suspect then shot Detective Grower in the head. The suspect, 34, a former secret service agent with the U.S. Air Force Intelligence Service, had been released from a Arkansas mental hospital in October of 1957. He was apprehended the next day and later returned to a maximum security prison for the criminally insane. Detective Grower was a U.S. Air Force World War II veteran who was shot down over Germany and held prisoner for 13 months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
Photograph of Russell Grower
Photograph of Russell Grower
Service Record
Also Served
Ontario Police Department
Detective
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier neuraspine_01krbxtmybady5tphynn3m99tn
Record added August 2, 2026 neuraweb.nw
Stewarded by neuraweb.nw
Last updated August 2, 2026

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