Officer Thomas F. Griffiths

Officer Thomas F. Griffiths

End of Watch: 

June 25, 1913

Age: 47
Salt Lake City Police Department
Homicide: Handgun


Officer Thomas F. Griffiths was shot and killed while pursuing a suspect on foot. 

Officer Griffiths was summoned to a bar at approximately 250 W. 200 South by the victim of a razor attack. Officer Griffiths arrested the suspect. While being led to a nearby call box, the suspect broke away from Officer Griffiths and fled. Officer Griffiths pursued the suspect behind a business where he was shot three times. The suspect managed to elude officers until the following day when his hiding place was reported by a citizen. The suspect was shot and wounded during his arrest. He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to prison. When the Utah Supreme Court ordered a new trial, the suspect pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. He was sentenced to life imprisonment. In 1919, he escaped from a Spanish Fork Canyon work camp. He was never recaptured. Married and the father of six children, Officer Griffiths is buried in Salt Lake City Cemetery. 

The bronze memorial name plaque of Officer Thomas F. Griffiths is sponsored by the Salt Lake City Honorary Colonels.

Fallen Officers