Houston Police Department, Texas
End of Watch: Saturday, January 31, 1970
Age: 41
Tour of Duty: 14 years
Badge Number: 1018
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: January 31, 1970
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: One later shot and killed
Police Officer Leon Griggs was shot and killed during a robbery while working an off-duty assignment at a grocery store. in the 2600 block of Blodgett Street.
Two men entered the store and one of them grabbed Officer Griggs' arm while the other shot him in the back several times. After he fell to the ground one of the men took his duty weapon and shot him three more times.
One of the subjects was apprehended, convicted, but later paroled. The second subject was later shot and killed by police officers in Atlanta, Georgia. The paroled subject was later sent to prison again.
Officer Griggs had served with the Houston Police Department for 14 years. He was survived by his wife and five children.