2007-06-26

On June 26, 2007 Officer Griffin was sent to 2526 Redwood on a report of prowlers. The caller reported that there were three suspects, and one was possibly armed with a pistol. When the officers arrived on scene, they spoke with the complainant, and the suspects were pointed out to them in the alley.

The officers began moving into position to capture the suspects when they fled on foot. The officers then began setting up a perimeter to keep the suspects contained while more officers arrived. While all of this was happening, the house at 2525 Redwood began to catch fire. It was later found that the suspects, using Molotov cocktails, started the fire.

Officer Griffin stationed himself in 2500 block of Redwood to help with the capture. The Fire Department had already been called for the fire. As Officer Griffin held his position on Redwood Street, he saw a subject drive up to the house at 2525 Redwood. The subject walked around the house, and then approached Officer Griffin. He told him that his 70-year-old mother was in the house that was burning.

Officer Griffin and the son went to the house and began trying to make entry. As heavy black smoke poured out of the residence, Officer Griffin entered the burning house with no regard for his own safety. Officer Griffin went as far into the house as he was able but was forced out by the heavy smoke causing him to have trouble breathing.

When Officer Griffin got back outside, the son again told him that his mother was inside and told him she should be in a room "to the left". At this point, Officer Griffin could hear someone screaming. With no more information, Officer Griffin again put his personal safety aside and entered the house a second time. This time the smoke was heavier and Officer Griffin was forced to crawl on his hands and knees. Even though he was trying to get below the smoke level, he was still inhaling smoke while trying to yell for the woman. Despite the danger, Officer Griffin continued into the house using his hands to feel his way around. He worked his way "to the left" until he found a room with the victim standing in the doorway. Officer Griffin stood to his feet and physically took hold of the woman and carried her out of the house. A witness saw Officer Griffin carry the victim from the house, with the smoke and fire so close to him that the witness believed Officer Griffin himself was on fire. As Officer Griffin carried her out of the house, he was overcome by the smoke and fell to the ground, still holding the victim. The witness called the Police Department to report an officer down.

With the victim seriously injured, and Officer Griffin having trouble breathing, he still had the presence of mind to get further away from the burning house and call an ambulance for the woman. He got them both to his patrol car until the ambulance arrived. Both were taken to Northwest Texas Hospital.