Officer John William Grubensky, Oakland Police Department, California

Officer John William Grubensky

Oakland Police Department, California

End of Watch Sunday, October 20, 1991

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John William Grubensky

Officer Grubensky was killed as he tried to evacuate a family from their home during a deadly firestorm on Charing Cross Road in Oakland.

When his body was found, he was lying on top of a woman's body whom he was trying to rescue.

In 1989, after the Loma Prieta earthquake, Officer Grubensky risked his life crawling through sections of the Nimitz Highway, looking for survivors.

Officer Grubensky had served with the Oakland Police Department for five years. He is survived by his wife, two sons, daughter, mother, and father.

Bio

Age 32
Tour 5 years
Badge 576

Incident Details

Cause Fire

evacuation, fire

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Most Recent Reflection

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I have gone to the Rockridge BARY station for years. I never saw the tile walls. Today I did, I stopped and I looked at each one. I was so moved. I couldn't stop sobbing. I read about you Officer Grubensky. You are amazing. My heart is with your family. I like so many have had tremendous losses in the past couple of years and sometimes it feels like I won't live but somehow this wall and the thought of what you did has given me hope.

Just a thankful person. Posey

November 11, 2024