Groff was a Captain within the Imperial Navy who served the Galactic Empire during the Galactic Civil War. He commanded the Star Destroyer known as the Punishment. In 5 ABY, his vessel was among the Imperial Navy vessels assembled at Jakku under the command of Fleet Admiral Gallius Rax, who also held the title of Counselor. These ships formed a defensive perimeter around the planet during the battle that ensued against the New Republic. The Punishment experienced a coolant leak within its shield generator, which rapidly spread throughout the ship's upper decks. This incident drove Groff to madness, prompting him to transmit a crazed communication to Grand Moff Randd aboard the Super Star Destroyer Ravager. He unleashed a rant against the New Republic, fueled by Rax's motivational speech given before the battle. Subsequently, his communications ceased, and the Punishment crashed into the Starhawk-class Battleship Mark I named Amity. Groff perished in the collision, sacrificing himself and his Star Destroyer for the Empire's objectives. Paradoxically, his act of zealous sacrifice triggered a series of events that ultimately resulted in the destruction of the Ravager and the defeat of the Imperial forces in the battle.