Roll of Honor
Incident
Trooper James Gross was shot and killed during a traffic stop in Ashland 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 traveled 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 Ohio State Highway Patrol for 2 years. He was survived by his wife. A portion of Interstate 71 in Ashland County, between mileposts 189 and 191, has been dedicated and renamed the James R. Gross Memorial Highway.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-3191BEEE- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Trooper Gross gave the Ohio State Highway Patrol 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Ohio. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Gross.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Trooper James R. Gross is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 57.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Ohio State Highway Patrol, 8 of 42 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 19% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James R. Gross's cause is highlighted.
How James R. Gross Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James R. Gross is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James R. Gross was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
41 officers from Ohio State Highway Patrol are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
