JG
U.S. Army · United States 
James Gross
1924
James V. Gross served the U.S. Army.
How He Died
Manner
Homicide
Cause
Gunshot wound
Mechanism
Firearm
What Happened
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.
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.
Service Record
U.S. Army
Also Served
Lynch Police Department
Chief of Police
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier
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Record added
August 2, 2026
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Last updated
August 2, 2026
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