Delray Beach Man, 68, Accused Of Threatening To Kill Police Officers

DELRAY BEACH, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2026 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — A 68-year-old Delray Beach man is facing five charges, including battery on a law enforcement officer, after police say he threw a plastic container at an officer and later vowed to kill “every Delray police officer” from a hospital bed.

John Frederick Grummel was arrested the night of Oct. 17 after Delray Beach police responded around 9:15 p.m. to a disturbance at 1314 N. Federal Highway. Officers found him sitting on the ground, slurring his words. A witness told police Grummel had been in a physical fight with another man, so both were detained, and fire rescue was called because Grummel couldn’t stand or walk on his own.

According to the probable cause affidavit reviewed by BocaNewsNow.com, Grummel said he wanted to take an officer’s gun and shoot police. When he asked for a drink and was told the IPA visible in his bag couldn’t be opened in public under city ordinance, he demanded a search warrant, then allegedly hurled a 434-gram plastic Artisan Wraps container at the officer, who deflected it. He refused to put his legs in the patrol car and asked, “what if I kick you in the f—ing face.” At Delray Medical Center, where he was taken for medical complaints, police say he threatened another officer, refused to be secured to his bed after a CAT scan, and said the world would be better off without Delray Beach police.

Grummel is charged with battery on a law enforcement officer, assault on a law enforcement officer, corruption by threat against a public official, disorderly intoxication and resisting an officer without violence. He was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail and is being held without bond on several of the charges. He lists an address on NE 5th Avenue as his residence.

We remind readers that charges filed by law enforcement agencies are allegations and that all criminal defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. We also remind readers that civil court filings are allegations made by the party filing suit. The validity of those allegations will be determined in court. If you are the subject of reporting that you believe is inaccurate, please email us immediately at clarification@bocanewsnow.com.