Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief James Gross was shot and killed while investigating the sounds of gunshots at a coal camp in Lynch. He and his brother were driving on Lynch Road when they heard the shots.
As they drove to the area where they believed the shots had been fired a woman ran from her house and yelled that she had been robbed. As he exited his vehicle the suspect opened fire, striking him in the chest and side.
Chief Gross' brother returned fire and chased the suspect a short distance, before returning to the car. He and a bystander placed Chief Gross in the car and drove him to Lynch Hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds the following day.
The suspect was arrested in Roda, Virginia. He was returned to Lynch and charged with first-degree murder. He was subsequently executed by electrocution on March 20th, 1925.
Chief Lynch was a WWI U.S. Army veteran and had served with the Lynch Police Department for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-E6A3611D- 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 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 gave the Lynch Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Lynch 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
James V. Gross served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Chief of Police James V. 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 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 22.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Lynch Police Department, 4 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James V. Gross's cause is highlighted.
How James V. Gross Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1925
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James V. Gross is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James V. Gross was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Lynch Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
