Special Agent Oliver Columbus Grems, Southern Pacific Railroad Police Department, Railroad Police

Special Agent Oliver Columbus Grems

Southern Pacific Railroad Police Department, Railroad Police

End of Watch Saturday, April 23, 1955

Add to My Heroes

Oliver Columbus Grems

Special Agent Oliver Grems was shot and killed in Oakland, California, by two Oakland police officers in a case of mistaken identity.

He was sitting in his vehicle on Southern Pacific Railroad property on Bay Street Circle, near 7th Street, when the two plainclothes officers saw him and approached him to investigate why he was there. Not knowing the two were officers, and believing he was about to be robbed, Special Agent Grems drew his revolver. Not realizing he was an officer too, the two Oakland officers opened fire on him.

Agent Grems was fatally wounded in the exchange of gunfire.

Special Agent Grems was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of WWII and had previously served with the Denver, Colorado, Police Department for six years. He was survived by his wife, two children, and two stepchildren.

Bio

Age 33
Tour 6 years
Badge Not available
Military Veteran

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire (Inadvertent)
Location California

mistaken identity

LODD Mapping FAQs

Most Recent Reflection

View all 3 Reflections

Agent Grems,
On today, the 70th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just as a Law Enforcement Officer but for our Country as well when you served with the USMC during World War II. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

Semper Fi Devil Dog!

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)

April 23, 2025