Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Justin DeRosier was shot and killed in the 100 block of Fallert Road after responding to investigate reports of a disabled motor home shortly after 10:00 pm.
After arriving at the scene, he contacted dispatchers with emergency traffic and stated he was being fired at. Members of the Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office and the Kalama Police Department responded to the scene and were able to pull him to safety. He was flown to PeaceHealth Medical Center in Vancouver where he passed away shortly after midnight.
Two suspects were taken into custody near the scene. A third suspect was shot and killed when he was encountered by other officers who were searching for him the following night.
The subject who was killed was the half-brother of the man who murdered Chief of Police Ralph Painter of the Rainier Police Department, Oregon, on January 5th, 2011.
Deputy DeRosier had served with the Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office for three years and had previously served with the Whitman County Sheriff's Office for three years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and 5-month-old daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WA-9E508941- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Justin. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff DeRosier gave the Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Kelso community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff DeRosier.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Justin Richard DeRosier 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 WA, 187 of 339 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 55.2% of this state's fallen. That is 1 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. Justin Richard DeRosier's cause is highlighted.
How Justin Richard DeRosier Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Justin Richard DeRosier is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Justin Richard DeRosier was killed by gun; unknown type.