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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Justin DeRosier was shot and killed in the 100 block of Fallert Road after responding to investigate reports of a disabled motor home shortly after 10:00 pm.
After arriving at the scene, he contacted dispatchers with emergency traffic and stated he was being fired at. Members of the Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office and the Kalama Police Department responded to the scene and were able to pull him to safety. He was flown to PeaceHealth Medical Center in Vancouver where he passed away shortly after midnight.
Two suspects were taken into custody near the scene. A third suspect was shot and killed when he was encountered by other officers who were searching for him the following night.
The subject who was killed was the half-brother of the man who murdered Chief of Police Ralph Painter of the Rainier Police Department, Oregon, on January 5th, 2011.
Deputy DeRosier had served with the Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office for three years and had previously served with the Whitman County Sheriff's Office for three years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and 5-month-old daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- 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 DeRosier gave the Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Kelso community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff DeRosier.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Justin is the only officer of Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Justin is one of 187 officers killed feloniously in WA, 55% of the 340 remembered there.
Justin is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Justin 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 2019, 3 officers in WA were killed feloniously, the 13th heaviest of 96 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 8.
In 2019, 64 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 117th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2019, 66 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 117th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Justin was 29. Of the 159 killed feloniously in WA whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 46; the middle age was 41. Justin had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Justin was 29. 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. Justin had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Justin was 29. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Justin had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 11.2% of these deaths in WA; November holds the most, 11.8%. Sundays: 18.7%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 55% of all 340 deaths in WA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 5.9% 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; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 44-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.