Roll of Honor
Orville Gross
Incident
Chief of Police Orville Gross succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained the previous day while investigating a domestic disturbance.
A man had gone to the home of his estranged wife and attempted to force entry into it. Chief Gross located the subject in front of a nearby store and attempted to stop him. The man immediately turned and shot Chief Gross in the abdomen. Despite his wounds, Chief Gross returned fire and killed the subject.
Chief Gross was taken to a hospital in Harlan where he died the following day.
Chief Gross was U.S. Army veteran. He had been appointed as police chief only seven months earlier after the murder of the previous police chief. He had previously served with the Harlan County Sheriff's Office and as a Prohibition agent.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-09E36D06- 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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Orville is one person.
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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.
Chief of Police Gross served with the Wallins Creek Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Wallins Creek community. Thank you 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
Orville Gross served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Chief of Police Orville 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 KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 76.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Wallins Creek Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Orville Gross's cause is highlighted.
How Orville Gross Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Orville Gross is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Orville Gross was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Military Service
Orville Gross served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit Orville Gross’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Wallins Creek Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
