Roy Neil Griffin, a 59-year-old white male, died on August 18, 1941, in Bexar County, Texas. Griffin was an investigator with the United States Department of the Treasury's Internal Revenue Service - Alcohol Tax Unit. On the day of his death, Griffin and his partner were seizing an illicit still in a home located at 408 Castroville Road on the outskirts of San Antonio. As the federal law enforcement officers began dismantling and carrying off the still's main components for destruction, Griffin was ambushed and shot in the neck by one of the bootleggers. The suspect, John Mock, was arrested shortly after the incident.
John Mock, a 63-year-old male, was convicted of murder on November 12, 1941, and sentenced to life imprisonment in a federal prison. When the verdict was read, Mock reportedly replied, "Don't you think that's rather severe for my first time in trouble." Prior to joining the Internal Revenue Service - Alcohol Tax Unit in 1936, Griffin had served with the United States Border Patrol for five years. He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter and was buried in the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio. Griffin was three days short of his 60th birthday when he was killed.
The investigation into Griffin's death revealed that he and his partner, Special Agent Marvin Pedlar, had seized the illicit still on the outskirts of San Antonio. As they began dismantling and carrying off the main components for destruction, Griffin was shot and killed from ambush by bootlegger John Mock. Mock was later arrested, convicted, and sentenced to life imprisonment. Griffin's death was a significant loss to the law enforcement community, and he was remembered for his dedication and service to the country.
