Bio & Incident Details
Age: 59
Tour: 10 years
Badge # 1646
Cause: Gunfire
Location: Texas
Incident Date: 8/18/1941
Weapon: Shotgun
Suspect: Sentenced to life
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Investigator Griffin was shot and killed while conducting a routine wine inspection in Bexar County, Texas.
Investigator Griffin and another agent were unarmed when they arrived at the house. They found illegal whiskey, wine and beer equipment and subsequently arrested two family members. While the agents were moving the equipment into the yard, went into the house by Investigator Griffin. The man picked up a 12-gauge shotgun and fired one time, striking Agent Griffin in the neck killing him instantly. The other agent went to a store to call deputies and borrowed the storekeeper's pistol. When he returned the suspect had been disarmed by a citizen who found the man reloading to kill the other agent.
On November 12, 1941, the shooter plead guilty to the murder and was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Investigator Griffin was born in Knoxville, Arkansas. Prior to joining the Internal Revenue Service - Alcohol Tax Unit in 1936, He had served with the United States Border Patrol for five years.
Investigator Griffin was survived by his wife and daughter. He was buried in the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio. He was three days short of his 60th birthday.
