Deputy Elwood Groff died as a result of a gunshot on October 15, 1979. Groff, 57, was working, off duty security as an apartment security officer in the 8000 Block of Midcrown. Shortly before 10 PM, Groff, who lived at the apartment complex, had gone to an apartment to check on a verbal disturbance. When he arrived he was met by Officers from the San Antonio Police Department. They found that Alvin Henderson had been causing a disturbance, but he had left the location. After talking with other officers, Groff told them he would handle the disturbance and they left. Shortly afterwards, Henderson, 32 arrived back at the apartment. Henderson shot Groff in the chest and shot his girlfriends Grandmother, Henrietta Bedford, 65, in the face, killing her.  Henderson then shot his girlfriend, Joyce Williams, 25, in the shoulder. Henderson then fled to his mothers home where he then shot himself. Henderson died at the scene. 

Groff, a patrolman had been a deputy since 1968 and was assigned to patrol the northeast section of the county. Groff was survived by Sons; Michael E. Groff and wife, Lisa, Jackson Florida, Patrick J. Groff and his wife, Jodi; Steven C. Groff, and wife, Mary; John L., Chris A., and Edward Groff, all of San Antonio, Texas. Daughter, Mrs. Clayton (Mary) Bordner, San Antonio; Brother, Ellisworth Stein, Grand Junction, Colorado and Cecil of Florida. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Groff, sister, Dorothy Urmanski; and 6 grandchildren all from Wausau, Wisconsin. Deputy Groff was a proud veteran of the Korea and Vietnam Wars, and the recipient of the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He was interred at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.