Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Village Marshal Murray Wilson Griffin of the Belle Center Village Police Department, Ohio and the additional 73 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

July 5, 2022

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Village Marshal Murray Wilson Griffin of the Belle Center Village Police Department, Ohio.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

July 5, 2021

Rest in peace Village Marshal Griffin.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 4, 2021

While your assailant has never faced justice here on earth he surely will face a higher authority at another time. Thank you for your service, both military and police, and please know that your sacrifice will always be remembered and honored. Rest In Peace always.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

July 5, 2020

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

March 10, 2018

I am sorry for the loss of all officers. My comment is why cant this case be reopened as a cold case? We have the technology today of DNA etc. to research these things. I am willing to do what it takes to get involved in this. Please tell me what I can do to help find closure and the killer (dead or alive). God Bless

Diana Robinaugh
Concerned citizen

November 15, 2017

You are loved and missed daily Granddaddy

Rachon Ward
Granddaughter

July 21, 2016

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
GOD Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

July 13, 2015

You are gone, but never forgotten for my mother has kept your memory alive in her children and we keep your memory alive in our children. We are proud of your service and your sacrifice to your country, to your community and to your family.
From your granddaughter with love.
Rachon Maxine Hooker Ward

Rachon Ward
Granddaughter

February 13, 2014

I lost you twice, once when I was nine, when you and mom divorced. And the second time, when a cruel murderer took your life. I am so glad, as an adult I got to know you, to know the good and kind man you were and the wonderful father you were to my half brother and sister, and to my step brother and sisters. The last time I saw you, I called you Dad, but I always think of you as my daddy. Your baby girl, Chontee has gone to join you and I take comfort in believing you were there to greet her. I feel blessed that I got to know you again.

Sherry Griffin Hooker
Eldest Daughter

November 11, 2013

Murray was good friend to my brother Mark and me. He used to "check-in" on us when we worked at Jake's Fleetwing/Citgo. We were young and silly; Murray became a positive adult role-model for the two of us. He is greatly missed. His loss is a shame.

Eric W Wolf, Durham, North Carolina

December 31, 2012

An update to my Dad's murder story. DNA proves that Terry Lowe, the person originally tried for the murders, is indeed responsible. He will likely never be charged due to double jeopardy, but at least we know. We love you, Dad, and can see you smiling at us now. See you on the other side.

Nancy Griffin Conley
daughter

July 6, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 24th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Rest In Peace

I pray for solace for all those who love and miss you for I know both the pain and pride are forever.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

July 5, 2010

Sir,
Thank you very much for your sacrifice to a vet from a vet!

Anonymous

March 17, 2009

When Belle Center lost Chief Griffin they lost a dedicated officer and a good friend to everyone. Many a night he missed dinner with his family, got called out as he was leaving on a family outing or got a call in the middle of the night because an elderly neighbor woman lost her dog. He never complained because this was the job he chose to do for over 20 years. How do I know this? Because Chief Murray Griffin was my father. As of this date, the case is still unsolved.

A Brown
daughter

April 29, 2008

Sir,

WWII veteran, 25 year veteran and Chief. It saddened me today when I seen that this case was still unsolved. I hope your case is still being reviewed and maybe Logan County can place the badge on this website that you pinned on your chest when you served.

March 30, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

December 31, 2007

Chief Griffin,

I was only a small child when you were taken my brother in blue but you were a true cop thru and thru. I wish you peace my friend, the suspect(s) will pay for what they did perhaps not on this earth but they will answer for what they did to you. God bless you and your family.

Chief John Puckett
Port Jefferson Police Dept.

December 26, 2006

your family will never forget this injustice we will do whatever means possible to find your killer and justice will be served

co mj paugh
odrc mci

June 2, 2004