Detective Sherman C. Griffiths, Boston Police Department, Massachusetts

Detective Sherman C. Griffiths

Boston Police Department, Massachusetts

End of Watch Thursday, February 18, 1988

Sherman C. Griffiths

Detective Sherman Griffiths was shot and killed while serving a narcotics warrant at an apartment, at 104 Bellevue Street, with other officers in the Drug Control Unit.

As Detective Griffiths attempted to hammer down the door with a sledgehammer, shots were fired from inside and he was struck once in the head. The suspect and weapon were found inside of an adjoining apartment. Detective Griffiths succumbed to his wounds the next morning.

The suspect, an illegal immigrant, was acquitted of murder charges in 1990 after his trial was moved to a different part of the state in a change-of-venue. After the trial, the INS deported him back to his native Jamaica.

Detective Griffiths was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the Boston Police Department for five years. He was survived by his wife and two daughters. Following his murder, five of his brothers joined the Boston Police Department as police officers.

Bio

Age 36
Tour 8 years
Badge 567
Military Veteran

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Incident Date Wednesday, February 17, 1988
Weapon Handgun; .45 caliber
Offender Deported

narcotics, illegal alien, plainclothes, search warrant

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Most Recent Reflection

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Tonight in our home we have a candle lit in your honor. We live in South Boston and we are very thankful of the hard working men and women of C-6 and the rest of the Boston Police Department. No matter how much time passes you never be forgotten hero. When I attend my regular mass at the St. Brigid Parish I will remember and reflect on your bravery and heroism. God Bless this American Hero and God Bless America!

Former Protective Security Officer (PSO) for Region 1 U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Protective Service Police, Pete Harrington BostonMA

February 19, 2016