Officer Peter Alan Grignon

Louisville Metro Police Department

September 30, 1977 - March 23, 2005

On March 23, 2005 at approximately 6:30 A.M., Officer Grignon was dispatched to a reported hit & run motor vehicle accident. After locating a burning vehicle in a field near the location of the reported incident, he called for the fire department then rode through the area looking for suspects.

Approximately two blocks from the scene, he located two teen-aged males walking in the street. He stopped to investigate.

A witness later described the initial encounter between the officer and suspects as being calm. However, as she turned away and closed her door, shots rang out.

Officer Grignon had responded to a dispatcher's inquiry that he was "10-86" -- "Situation under control, help not needed." Nineteen seconds later, a back up unit arrived on the scene and called "Officer Down."

The suspect, Travis Ballard, was seventeen years old and had an extensive history of criminal activity and mental problems. As the back-up officer arrived, Ballard tried unsuccessfully to remove Officer Grignon's firearm from its holster. He then turned his gun on himself and took his own life.

Officer Grignon was rushed to University of Louisville Hospital with four gunshot wounds to the face and neck area. Surgeons worked hard to save his life, but he succumbed to his wounds at approximately 9:30 A.M.

Officer Grignon was 27 years old and had been married for one year and three days. He was nearing the end of his first work shift after returning from an anniversary getaway to Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

Officer Grignon had served with the Louisville Metro Police Department for only two years.