Corrections Officer John H. Grimm

Photo of Corrections Officer John H. Grimm
End of Watch: Sun, May 8th, 1921
Date of Incident: Sun, May 8th, 1921
Cause of Death: Assault
Service Time: 18 years
Age: 59

Survivors

His wife, two sons, two daughters, two brothers, sister and mother

Incident

Custody Officer John Grimm was beaten to death by inmates during an attempted escape from the Indiana Reformatory in Clarksville.

Upon entering the prison bakery at 10:00 pm, Custody Officer Grimm was beaten with a hammer by six inmates who had plotted to escape from the prison that evening. The inmates then took Custody Officer Grimm's revolver and shot him once through his mouth. As the inmates made their way out of the prison, they seized the weapon of another guard after he was bound and gagged. It was later determined that Custody Officer Grimm died from 11 distinct fractures to his skull and not from the gunshot wound.

All six of the inmates, two of whom were shot and wounded, were captured on the grounds of the prison and charged with murder. One of the injured inmates later died from his wounds.

Custody Officer Grimm had served with the Indiana Department of Correction for 18 years. He was survived by his wife, two sons, two daughters, two brothers, sister and mother.

Information obtained from the Officer Down Memorial Page.

Agency

Indiana Department of Correction Patch
302 West Washington Street E-334
Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
(371) 232-5711

Tributes

There are currently no tributes for Corrections Officer John H. Grimm.