Charles Richard Griffin

Charles Richard Griffin, Age 77, of Brentwood, TN, passed away on March 10, 2025. Preceded in death by his mother, Anne O’Mara Griffin; father, James Edward Griffin; siblings, Anne Burnett, Jim Griffin, Joe Griffin, Robbie Griffin, Mike Griffin, Pat Griffin and sister-in-law, Dawn Griffin. He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Sonia Smithson-Griffin; mother of his children, Linda (Griffin) Hayes; children, Ricky (Laurie), Wendi “D1” (Tommy) Lamb, Amanda “D2” (Chris) Horton; grandchildren, Thomas (Jess) Horton, Matthew (Brianna) Griffin, Stacey Horton, Mason (Delanie) Griffin, Hagen Horton, Maddie Griffin, Sydney Lamb, Sam Lamb, and Henry Lamb; great-grandchildren, Liam Griffin and Audrey Griffin; brother, David Griffin, and sister-in-law Ellie Griffin. Charles was born and raised in the Madison area of Nashville. He graduated at Madison High School in the Class of 1965. He resided in Madison until 1996 when he moved to Brentwood with his wife Sonia. Charles came from a law enforcement family and was a dedicated Metro Police Department officer for over 31 years, from 1972 until his retirement in 2004. He served as both a patrol officer and Patrol Sergeant. He was later promoted to Detective Sergeant and completed sequential assignments to the Vice Squad, Homicide Investigation, Murder Squad and the Fraud Investigation Units. He received his Associates Degree in Criminal Justice from Austin Peay University alongside his late brother, Pat Griffin, who was a Major on the Metro Police Department. Charles was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police and served as a delegate representing Andrew Jackson Lodge #5 at both state and national meetings. His family law enforcement tradition continues with both and his son and grandson, Officer Charles “Ricky” Griffin and Detective “Matthew” Charles Griffin, currently serving as local police officers. Charles’ leisure activities involved family time and impromptu road trips. He was the “Road Trip King”. Any excuse for a road trip was a good one, and every road trip involved stops at The Cracker Barrel. Orlando was a favorite destination, as he was an avid fan of Mickey Mouse. Also on his itinerary, there were many trips for activities with his children and later his grandchildren. Known as “Papa” to his nine grandchildren, Charles enjoyed every minute watching them participate in their many sports and hobbies. In his retirement years, you would generally find him in his red GMC pickup truck, known as “The Big Red Truck”. His “patrol area” included Brentwood, Madison, College Grove, Chapel Hill and Nashville (wherever the kids and grandkids or a Cracker Barrel could be found). He is greatly missed by his family, friends, and coworkers. He is also missed by the many strangers that he helped in small ways along his journey of service here on earth. We will never truly comprehend all the lives he touched in silence without reward or accolades. He is in God’s arms now. Visitation will be at Phillips-Robinson Funeral Home, 2707 Gallatin Rd., on Sunday, March 23, from 12pm - 5pm, and again on Monday, March 24, from 10:30am - 11:30am. The service will be on Monday, March 24, at 11:30am. Interment immediately following at Spring Hill Cemetery located at 5110 Gallatin Pike in Madison.

Charles Richard Griffin

August 7, 1947 - March 10, 2025