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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
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- 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 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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Franklin County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Otis is one of 12 officers killed feloniously in VT, 38.7% of the 31 remembered there.
Otis is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Otis is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1934, 1 officer in VT was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1934, 178 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1934, 179 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Otis was 64. Of the 12 killed feloniously in VT whose age is recorded, half were between 43.8 and 52.3; the middle age was 46.5. Otis had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 17.5 years.
Otis was 64. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Otis had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Otis was 64. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Otis had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 16.7% of these deaths in VT; December holds the most, 33.3%. Mondays: 8.3%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Franklin County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 38.7% of all 31 deaths in VT, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Franklin County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, Otis among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 52-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Franklin County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.