Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Otis Gross mysteriously disappeared when he went to Barre to collect $250 from a man found liable in a civil matter. His car was found abandoned in a wooded area off of the Barre-Woodsville Highway east of Barre the following day. The man who Deputy Gross was supposed to see was picked up for questioning by police in Concord, New Hampshire. While he was being transported to the police department, he suddenly drew a gun and shot and killed himself. Deputy Gross' body was found two days later in an abandoned shack in East Brookfield, 12 miles from Barre. He had been shot to death. Deputy Gross had served in law enforcement for 17 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, four children, five grandchildren, and three sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VT-10B7AC62- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Gross gave the Franklin County Sheriff's Office 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the Saint Albans community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Gross.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Otis J. Gross 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 VT, 12 of 31 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 38.7% of this state's fallen. That is 15.5 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Franklin County Sheriff's Office, 1 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Otis J. Gross's cause is highlighted.
How Otis J. Gross Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed suicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Otis J. Gross is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Otis J. Gross was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Franklin County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
