Prev
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Luke Gross was struck and killed by a vehicle investigating a crash on Route 3 in front of Penobscot Cleaning Services in Trenton at about 4:00 am.
Deputy Gross was called to the scene of a single-vehicle crash that left scattered debris in the roadway. That vehicle had left the scene. Deputy Gross parked his cruiser in the breakdown lane on the northbound side of the road and activated its emergency lights. He was wearing a high-visibility vest and was reaching down to pick up a piece of debris from a crash in the northbound travel lane when he was fatally hit by a pickup truck. The driver is not expected to have any charges filed against him.
The driver of the vehicle that fled the crash site was found sleeping in his vehicle a short distance from the crash scene. He has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident, illegal use of drug paraphernalia, and illegal possession of alcohol by a minor.
Deputy Gross had served with the Hancock County Sheriff's Office for 18 years. He had previously worked for the Sabattus Police Department.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtp3vnwmhsdf31x7dx664- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Luke. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
20 years. You could have gone home.
Deputy Sheriff Gross gave the Hancock County Sheriff's Office 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Ellsworth 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 · Accident
Hancock County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
Luke is one of 33 officers lost to accidents in ME, 38.4% of the 86 remembered there.
Luke is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Luke is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2021, 1 officer in ME was lost to accidents, the 5th heaviest of 29 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 2.
In 2021, 54 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 86th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2021, 55 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 96th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Luke was 44. Of the 31 lost to accidents in ME whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45.5; the middle age was 33. Luke had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Luke was 44. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Luke had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Luke was 44. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Luke had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 15.2% of these deaths in ME; November holds the most, 21.2%. Thursdays: 6.1%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Hancock County Sheriff's Office.
Accident deaths account for 38.4% of all 86 deaths in ME, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Hancock County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, Luke among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Hancock County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.