James F. Grove

On January 28, 1933 at approximately 1:00 pm. Officer Grove was exiting Rock Creek Park onto Blagden Avenue in the right lane when the Force issued motorcycle he was operating was struck from behind by a car on a curve in the road.

Officer Grove was thrown from his bike and hurled down an embankment. He was transported to Walter Reed Army Hospital where he died a short time later from a fractured skull and internal injuries.

The operator of the vehicle and the two occupants were charged with manslaughter.

He left a wife and eight children.  Officer Grove was an Army Veteran and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

From the Archives of the Washington Post®

POLICEMAN KILLED BY CAR; THREE HELD

Father of Nine Is Hurled 60 Feet on Motorcycle; Youths Unhurt.

January 29, 1933

Hurled 60 feet through the air after his motorcycle was dealt a terrific glancing blow by a light coupe careening around a curve on Blagden Avenue in Rock Creek Park yesterday afternoon. Private James Francis Grove, 46, of the United States Park Police, was fatally injured.