Mammoth Police Department, Arizona
End of Watch: Friday, June 10, 1988
Age: 41
Tour of Duty: 19 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: June 10, 1988
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: 25 years to life
Corporal James Ross was shot and killed while responding to a domestic disturbance call.
At the time of the incident, there was no jail in the small town, so the suspect was allowed to remain in his home until the judge was available. As Corporal Ross turned to leave the home, the suspect shot him three times in the back with a gun that had been hidden behind a chair. The suspect then fired directly into Corporal Ross' chest as he lay on his back on the floor and then called the dispatcher to report that he had shot an officer.
The subject was found guilty of second-degree murder and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. While out on appeal in the year after the shooting of Corporal Ross, the shooter also tried to shoot his stepson as his stepson ran away from him. He was once again convicted, and six years was added to his sentence for the second crime.
Corporal Ross was a U.S. Army veteran and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of the Vietnam War. He had served with the Mammoth Police Department for 19 years. He was survived by his wife, son, two daughters, and brother.