Alexander A. "Griff" Anderson, City Marshal/Deputy Sheriff
Alexander A. "Griff"
Anderson, City Marshal/Deputy
Sheriff
City of Verden/Grady County Sheriff's Office
Marshal Anderson’s body was found in a Rock Island Railroad boxcar the morning of December 3, 1925. His gun and extra bullets were missing. He had been dragged 350 feet into the boxcar from in front of Bruce’s Garage in Verden. According to a doctor’s report “his head had been pounded into a jelly” sometime during the night. Marshal Anderson left behind a pregnant wife, three daughters and a step son.
Five years later George W. Smith confessed to taking part in Anderson’s death and was sentenced to life in prison. Smith had been a Deputy Sheriff until about a year before Anderson was killed. After Anderson’s death Smith was again appointed a Deputy taking Anderson’s place on the force.