Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ohio
End of Watch Friday, January 19, 1996
Add to My HeroesJames R. Gross
Trooper Gross was shot and killed during a traffic stop in Ashland, OH on I-71. A truck driver had noticed a car driving erratically and contacted the police via CB.
During the stop Trooper Gross was shot once in his left arm. As he attempted to take cover he slipped on the wet pavement and fell to the ground. The suspect shot him in the back as he lay on the ground. The round entered below his vest and travelled upwards through his torso.
Other truckers who witnessed the shooting used their CB radios to notify authorities of the incident. The suspect was apprehended when he crashed into an embankment following a 29-mile chase. The ensuing investigation determined that the suspect had previously shot his mother in the foot.
The 30-year-old suspect was initially sentenced to death. In 2005 his death sentence was commuted to life. He will be eligible for parole in June of 2044.
Trooper Gross had served with the agency for 2 years.
Bio
- Age 27
- Tour 2 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Handgun
- Offender Sentence commuted to life
Most Recent Reflection
View all 84 ReflectionsJim…
So many memories… the McDonald’s years. We had so much fun . Me ratting you out to Gary Blake when he told me you had called off sick. I told Gary you weren’t sick b/c I had just left your house . I was so mad! You guys got me… set me up!!! How about watching roger rabbit? Really? Why that movie,?
I pass the memorial often and it pains me. Thank you to your family and Veronica or whoever keeps it maintained. I know that you were so excited for that career!
Thank you for coming to my high school basketball games. Thank you for being such a great friend. So many memories !
Missy (Herman)
Friend
January 20, 2022
Recent LODD Deaths
Border Patrol Agent Daniel Salazar
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - United States Border Patrol, US
EOW: May 17, 2022
Chief Deputy Sheriff Jody Wayne Cash
Calloway County Sheriff's Office, KY
EOW: May 16, 2022
Deputy Sheriff Walter Donald Jenkins, Jr.
Rockdale County Sheriff's Office, GA
EOW: May 11, 2022
Deputy Sheriff Robert Adam Howard
Harris County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: May 11, 2022
Patrol Officer Brian Lee Sember
Ottawa Police Department, IL
EOW: April 3, 2022
Sergeant Nicholas W. Tullier
East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office, LA
EOW: May 5, 2022
Police Officer Darryl Wayne Fortner
Vestavia Hills Police Department, AL
EOW: April 6, 2022
Deputy Sheriff Nicholas D. Weist
Knox County Sheriff's Office, IL
EOW: April 29, 2022
Deputy Sheriff Douglas Warren Sanford
Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, IN
EOW: March 29, 2022