Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

It’s been a while classmate, but you are never forgotten. Your service and life inspired many, but your tragic death continues to motivate us in our training and reinforces OSP’s important mission. We honor you this Memorial Day.

Capt R. L. Zwayer, Unit 695, Class 124
Ohio State Highway Patrol - Retired

May 29, 2023

Though much time has passed your memory lives on. Your service and commitment will never be forgotten, especially on this day of remembrance.

Larry R. Bowman
Trooper, OSHP, Retired
MSgt, USMC, Retired

January 19, 2023

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Trooper James R. Gross of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ohio and the additional 67 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

January 19, 2023

Jim…

So many memories… the McDonald’s years. We had so much fun . Me ratting you out to Gary Blake when he told me you had called off sick. I told Gary you weren’t sick b/c I had just left your house . I was so mad! You guys got me… set me up!!! How about watching roger rabbit? Really? Why that movie,?

I pass the memorial often and it pains me. Thank you to your family and Veronica or whoever keeps it maintained. I know that you were so excited for that career!

Thank you for coming to my high school basketball games. Thank you for being such a great friend. So many memories !

Missy (Herman)
Friend

January 20, 2022

Trooper Gross stopped to help my grandparents change a tire on their way to church. They told this fond memory of his kindness after they learned of his death.

Julie Davis

January 20, 2022

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Trooper James R. Gross of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ohio and the additional 65 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

January 19, 2022

Trooper Gross,
I just stopped by the place of your remembrance play Taps. As the father of a police officer, I pray for all of you everyday.
Peace

Scott T. Hartman

March 26, 2021

Trooper Gross,
On today, the 25th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of the state of Ohio. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

January 19, 2021

I did not know you but consider you a brother. I was in the 71st class and once a Trooper always a Trooper. Rest in peace my brother.

Former Ohio Trooper Paul E Smith
Ohio State Patrol Post 91

August 26, 2020

Rest in peace Trooper Gross.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 28, 2020

I sat next to you for two weeks in a crash investigation class at OSP. Six months later I was watching the news and your face came on the screen as a trooper killed. I couldn't believe it then and I still have trouble believing it now. Your picture, the same one shown here, has the event frozen in time for me. I retired from law enforcement in 2016, but am still teaching LE at a career center for high school kids. I bring you, and your story, up often. Tomorrow on Police Memorial Day, I will mention you, as well as some other friends who were killed in the line of duty, as my cadets raise the flag and lower it to half staff. Rest easy Trooper Gross.

Officer Jeff Hall (Ret)
Dublin Ohio PD

May 14, 2019

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Westerville, Ohio Division of Police, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Trooper James R. Gross of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ohio and the additional 57 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Chief Joe Morbitzer
Westerville, Ohio Division of Police

January 19, 2018

I was friends with Jim's older brothers. I think of him every time I drive I-71.
Brad Miklosovic
January 14, 2018

Brad Miklosovic
Friend

January 14, 2018

Jim I remember playing basketball and hanging out as a teenager. You were a good man. I drove by your memorial on I-71 and jt brought back memkries of what a good person you were.

Pete Johnson
Friend

July 23, 2017

Just passed Jim's Memorial on 71 North!!We were privilaged to know Jim during his teenage years!He went to school with our daughters Wendy and Kelly Wolff!! Years have passed by so fast! Not only did they go to school together,,all three of them worked together at the first and famous "Diffs Buffet in Laurel Square"!! He was always such a super young man!!We were all robbed of his friendship way to early!! Great to have good memories to hold onto.

Laura Wolff
Friend

July 17, 2017

In 1996, I was an auxiliary officer with the Ohio Highway Patrol, and I rode with troopers from Post 3 in Ashland, Ohio. One of those officers was James Gross. He was a true professional, and he was certainly proud of the Patrol, and his role with the organization. His death in the line of duty saddened the community, his fellow troopers, and his brother law enforcement officers throughout North Central Ohio. It was nice to meet and know you, Jim.

David Spain

January 20, 2017

I saw your sign today on Hwy 30 I believe and wanted to know what sacrifice was made. A tragic story which brings back many bad memories of experiences of my fellow officers. Your sacrifice is real and humbling. God bless you and your dedication and the devistating time that your family endured. And our judicial system? Greatly lacking.

Officer Bergmann
CHP

October 17, 2016

I didn't know you sir. I didn't know of you until I started at Ashland PD in 2006. My Lieutenant at the time took me to the site of your memorial on the last day of field training. We visited other sites in the county of other fallen officers as well. I cannot express the gratitude that is felt for your sacrifice throughout Ashland Police Division. Your name is mentioned often and will never be forgotten. I'm now a field training officer myself and have had the privilege of taking several new officers to your memorial on their last day before solo patrol. Today is one of those days. Our prayer will be for your family and loved ones that they might have found some sort of comfort in knowing they will see you again one day. Our prayer is that your sacrifice will not be forgotten and will motivate us to battle evil in this world. Thank you for what you have done.

Patrol Officer Curt Dorsey
Ashland Police Divison

May 14, 2016

While driving home from Columbus to New York with my son, I noticed the memorial for Trooper Gross on the side of the road. When I got home, I looked up Trooper Gross's name and was very saddened to learn of the incident that lead to his death. I am a 9/11 survivor but that pales in comparison to the ultimate sacrifice that Trooper Gross made. Even though it was 20 years ago, the pain of a fallen officer never goes away. Being retired from the NYPD, I have been to countless funerals of our heroes in blue. The best that I can do is to keep them and their families in my prayers. We all "bleed blue." Rest In Peace.

Retired Detective Rich Ciccotelli
NYPD

April 6, 2016

RIP, brother. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Officer J. Honeycutt
Utah Valley University Police Dept.

March 2, 2016

20 years has passed and you still have not been forgotten. Thank you for your serviçe and protection for all. Your family loves you...those close to you know how strong you were as a trooper.

Wife and family

January 20, 2016

I was driving back from Ottawa Ohio, came up I-71 and saw a sign for the James R. Gross Memorial Highway around Ashland. Very sad. I felt a sense of obligation to learn about Trooper Gross, especially given how much undue and over-generalized criticism law enforcement officers have to deal with these days. Trooper Gross lost his life serving and protecting us, and for that he should always be honored and never be forgotten.

Will Kalkhoff
Citizen in support of law enforcement

August 31, 2015

It's been 19 Years Jim and still to this day your still in my thoughts and prayers.

Kevin L Hubbard
Friend and Co-worker

May 1, 2015

Dear Trooper Gross. I am from Ashland, Ohio and I was driving to Ashland to see my parents when I heard of the shooting. I drive by your Memorial on 71 every month and I think of how senseless it was for someone to take your life from your family. May you have peace in Trooper Heaven. Larry

Larry Brockway
Ashland Resident

November 22, 2014

That scar on your lip is from a roll of saran wrap and a bunch of bun trays at McDonald's, I told my night crew about that one night when they were all goofing off. Good times old friend, never to be forgotten!

Anji Nowak
friend

September 12, 2014