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Patrolman Dennis Griffin | Cleveland Police Department, Ohio Cleveland Police Department, Ohio

Patrolman

Dennis Griffin

Cleveland Police Department, Ohio

End of Watch: Friday, May 11, 1923

Bio & Incident Details

Age: 47

Tour: Not available

Badge # Not available

Cause: Gunfire

Incident Date: 5/11/1923

Weapon: Handgun; .45 caliber

Suspect: Shot and killed in prison

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Patrolman Dennis Griffin was shot and killed while transporting a prisoner to jail. The man had been arrested during a stakeout by Patrolman Griffin and another officer. Before being taken to jail the man asked if he could go into his house to change and say goodbye to his wife. While inside, he was able to conceal a .45 caliber revolver in his pocket.

When Patrolman Griffin and the man failed to report to the station a search was begun. Patrolman Griffin's burned uniform was found three days later and his body was found in a shallow grave nearby shortly thereafter. He had been shot once in the neck. The suspect fled the scene but was apprehended in Detroit, Michigan, the following month. He was sentenced to life but died after being shot while attempting to escape from prison.

Patrolman Griffin served in the 14th Precinct. He was survived by his wife and 9-month-old son and he is buried in Lake View Cemetery, Cleveland, Ohio.

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Will the bagpipers play on my funeral day? Will a sea of blue stretch down this long road? As Harleys rumble by and choppers thunder overhead, it is the sweet sounds of the bagpipers that I hear instead.

All have come here to pay their respects. To listen to the story of the brave act I did. Worry not for me because I'll be all right. It is my wife who needs comfort through these long and lonely nights. Who will teach my boy what is to be a man? It is my family that needs you now, for I am at rest. Let it be known that I worked with the best.

I did not live the longest of lives, nor one of great wealth. It is the sacrifice I made that put me high upon this shelf. Treated as a pauper in life but as a king in death, all I did was my job like so many had before.
So when you go to drink to comfort your way, remember what it is that I have to say.

When you raise your glass in memory of my name, know you are my brother for you would have done the same. It is only we who run toward what others run from. Now I run no more, for my work is done.

As this wooden vessel carries my body through this sea of blue, listen for the bagpipers and hear what they play.
For it is their sweet music that carries my soul today. - UNK


December 20, 2005

 

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