Falsifying government documents to bypass immigration restrictions, a Swiss police commander in St. Gallen effectively saved 3,600 Jewish refugees from persecution. By backdating entry visas and manipulating administrative files, he provided individuals with a path to safety that was otherwise denied under the strict border policies enacted following the 1938 annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany.
Early Career and Athletics
Born in 1891 in St. Gallen, he pursued a career as a teacher after attending a preparatory school between 1907 and 1911. Beyond his professional work, he was an active association football player. In 1913, he joined SC Brühl, contributing to the squad that secured the 1915 Swiss first division title. Following his military service, he transitioned into law enforcement in 1919, joining the police corps of the canton of St. Gallen.
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Take the IQ test →Defiance of State Policy
As the police commander of the canton, which shared borders with Germany and Austria, he oversaw the regulation of refugees. After Switzerland began enforcing a ban on Jewish people arriving without permits, and following the implementation of the 'J' stamp on passports, he rejected the state's closure of the border. He chose to facilitate entry for refugees, directing them to the Diepoldsau camp, and utilized his own personal funds to provide winter clothing for those arriving in need. He consistently falsified reports regarding the number of arrivals and their status to mask his activities from federal authorities.
Trial and Dismissal
The federal government initiated an investigation into his conduct in 1939, leading to his summary dismissal from the police force that March. A criminal trial at the district court of St. Gallen ensued, lasting until 1941. The court concluded that he had committed official misconduct, forgery, and breach of duty. He was fined, forced to pay legal costs, and deprived of his pension, leaving him in poverty. Despite the verdict, he stated that he was not ashamed, citing his Christian world outlook as the foundation for his choice to prioritize saving lives over bureaucratic instructions.
Posthumous Rehabilitation
For the remainder of his life, he was largely ostracized and faced significant difficulty finding permanent employment. Although the Swiss government issued a reserved letter of apology in 1970, it did not initially reinstate his pension or clear his name. He died in 1972 and was buried in the Au cemetery. In 1995, the district court of St. Gallen finally annulled his conviction, and he was later recognized by the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial foundation in 1971 as one of the Righteous Among the Nations.
Fast facts
- Born: 1891, St. Gallen
- Died: 1972, St. Gallen
- Occupation: Teacher, police officer, association football player
- Citizenship: Switzerland
- Award: Righteous Among the Nations (1971)
- Religion: Protestantism (reformed)
- Buried: Au cemetery
Questions readers ask
How many refugees did Paul Grüninger save?
He saved approximately 3,600 Jewish refugees.
Was he ever officially exonerated?
Yes, the district court of St. Gallen annulled his conviction in 1995.
Achievements
- Righteous Among the Nations — 1971
- Worked as police officer, association football player and teacher
