Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Ross Hester was shot and killed as he, the sheriff, and three other deputies attempted to take a mentally ill person into emergency custody.
As the deputies entered the home the man opened fire with two pistols, shooting Deputy Hester six times. Another deputy returned fire and killed the subject.
Deputy Hester was survived by several siblings.
Survivors
Deputy Hester was survived by several siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-BEF628B2- 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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Hester served with the Vermilion County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Danville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Hester.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Ross G. Hester 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 IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 63.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Vermilion County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Ross G. Hester's cause is highlighted.
How Ross G. Hester Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ross G. Hester is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ross G. Hester was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Vermilion County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
