Roll of Honor
Incident
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.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, two daughters, and brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AZ-43B0F7D8- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Corporal Ross gave the Mammoth Police Department 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the Mammoth community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
James A. Ross served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Corporal James A. Ross is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In AZ, 204 of 330 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.8% of this state's fallen. That is 7.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James A. Ross's cause is highlighted.
How James A. Ross Compares
Offender Outcome
25 years to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James A. Ross is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James A. Ross was killed by gun; unknown type.