Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Fisher succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained three days earlier after he responded to reports of a man with a gun at a local tavern on Ohio Avenue.
Patrolman Fisher and another patrolman approached the man and asked him to step outside so they could talk. The man suddenly jumped up and produced a gun. Patrolman Fisher's partner tried to grab the man from behind, but the man turned and pointed the gun at him. As he did so, Patrolman Fisher opened fire, wounding the suspect. The man then opened fire and struck Patrolman Fisher and a bystander. Both officers returned fire and killed the suspect. The bystander died at the scene as well. Patrolman Fisher was transported to Holzer Hospital in Gallipolis, where he died three days later.
Patrolman Fisher had served with the Wellston Police Department and previously served as the sheriff of Jackson County.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-884A5919- 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
24 years. You could have gone home.
Patrolman Fisher gave the Wellston Police Department 24 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Wellston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Fisher.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Ross C. Fisher 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 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 3.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Wellston 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. Ross C. Fisher's cause is highlighted.
How Ross C. Fisher Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ross C. Fisher is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ross C. Fisher was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Wellston Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
