Holly MatkinShelby County, IN – Shelby County Sheriff’s Department (SCSD) Deputy Jay Griffith died in a single-vehicle motorcycle crash in the early-morning hours of Sept. 7.
The 37-year-old off-duty deputy was participating in a multi-state motorcycle ride with a group of other motorcyclists and had just left Shelbyville when the crash occurred shortly after 3:30 a.m., WTHR reported.
Deputy Griffith was riding westbound on Interstate 74 and was taking the State Road 9 exit when he went into a skid while braking, according to investigators.
The deputy, who was wearing a helmet, fell over and became trapped beneath his motorcycle, WTHR reported.
He was unconscious and unresponsive when SCSD deputies and Indiana State Police (ISP) troopers arrived at the crash site.
Deputy Griffith was ultimately pronounced dead at the scene, WTHR reported.
The Shelby County Coroner’s office concluded he died from blunt-force trauma to the chest and head.
Drugs, alcohol, and speed were not factors in his accidental death, the coroner noted.
“Deputy Griffith’s passing is an immense loss to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department and our community in which he lived and served,” Shelby County Sheriff Louis Koch said in a statement to WTHR. “I want to share my condolences with Jay’s family friends and colleagues, he will be greatly missed.”
Deputy Griffith joined the SCSD in June of 2013, but his career in law enforcement stretched back to 2004, according to his obituary.
He leaves behind his wife of 10 years, Tara, as well as his parents and siblings.
Deputy Griffith is also survived by his grandparents, nephews, nieces, and in-laws.
He will be laid to rest on Sept. 12.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of Shelby County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Jay Griffith, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
Sandy Malone
