Florida State Road Department - State Convict Road Force, Florida
End of Watch: Sunday, February 1, 1953
Age: 68
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Assault
Date of Incident: January 15, 1953
Weapon Used: Blunt object
Suspect Info: Three convicted of murder
Guard John Gradon and Guard Grant Dohner succumbed to head injuries sustained during an escape attempt at the Loxahatchee Road Prison. One of three inmates, age 22, hit both guards over the top of their heads with a stove poker, fracturing their skulls. All were serving sentences for robbery. Guard Dohner died at the scene. Guard Gradon died two weeks later.
All three inmates were convicted of second degree murder. The killer was sentenced to life. One was sentenced to 30 years and the other to 20 years.