Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Jim wanted to be a policeman for a long time and fulfilled his dream in Tempe, Az and finally in Mammoth. The town took us into their family and treated us with love and concern. The loss of Ray Gomez after the first trial broke our hearts. Jim would be proud of our son serving in Iraq and Afghanistan and his 4 grandchildren from his daughters families. He is still missed and not forgotten.

Cheryl, the former Mrs. James Ross

January 27, 2011

"The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

July 26, 2007

Rest in Peace, Corporal Ross. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

March 14, 2007

Jim,although we worked together for only a short time,you left a lasting impression on people you came in contact with.Your genuine sincerity and gentleness brought calm to many incidents. May you rest in peace ,and may your spirit be on patrol forever.

(Former) Corporal Johann Bayer
(Former) Mammoth Police Department

January 13, 2005

Jim, you were a police academy classmate and friend. You were off duty but on standby and responded to this call from your home. Your faith and trust in your fellow man led to this tragedy. Cheryl, your children and your friends suffer your absence. Rest in peace.

Paul Huebl
Paul Huebl Investigations

August 29, 2004

James, thank you for your service. You are a true hero.

June 10, 2004

I saw that it was the anniversary of your death and that you had not received any reflections. It made me sad because all of our HEROS deserves the best. Rest in peace, Sir.
Shirley Roberts-Aunt of Fallen Officer John Logan EOW-March 14, 2004

Shirley Roberts

June 10, 2004