Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Trooper James R. Gross,

Your death stands among the most horrendous involving law officers who patrol the roads. It is the most-feared situation: An approach to a vehicle is made and the person inside suddenly makes an attack because he has just committed a crime. This individual is crazed and hell-bent on preventlng his arrest. Little protection is afforded any officer who approaches him. That Trooper Gross was killed might send shock-waves of warning to many of us and cause us to vow that it will not happen to us. This, unfortunately, is a myth. Little is available to protect the officer who is preyed upon by those who know no rules. Who kill suddenly and without warning. Who do the work of cowards, low-lifes and hardened criminals. Who have no conscience and care little for themselves or those close to them. We present ourselves as a target on a daily basis. We live because most of us are more fortunate than some of us. We all know this, but we put in our day of duty anyway. We face the danger and ignore the hidden threat. It is our lot. To Trooper James R. Gross I have only admiration and respect. He died fearlessly and with the courage of a true soldier-of-the-law. To him I render a final salute. To his family and friends I assign you the duty of caring for one another. I place with you the responsibility of taking care of our brother's family and friends. He would wish you would do this...I am certain.

Cpl. Ralph D. Fiorenza (Ret.)
Pennsylvania State Police

December 6, 2008

Trooper Gross,

I just drove your stretch of I-71 this past Saturday, November 29, 2008. I said a prayer for you.

Anonymous

December 1, 2008

I remember that day vividly. I was just a kid. Just the year beofore John Gisclon was slain. John was a family friend. It wasnt until recently I was hired on by Quinault Nation Police Department, here in Taholah, Washignton State, how quickly things can go ary. I had a guy try to purposely run me over at an accident scene. It wasn't until after the incident was over that I began to think about John Gislcon and yourself. Both incidents impacted me deeply as a child, and stuck with me all of these years.

I want to thank you for the service you devoted to Ohio, and to our brothers and sisters in Law Enforcement. Please watch over every one of us, and protect us.

Officer Michael Sparks
Quinault Nation Police Department, Taholah, WA.

May 30, 2008

Dear Sir,

I had to make a run to Columbus from Cleveland this weekend to retrieve some freight. Along the way I spotted your memorial stretch of highway on I-71. I just wanted you to know that the highway was a little dirty as can be expected with rocks, pieces of blown tires, and debris. However, at the spot of your incident underneath your memorial it was perfectly manicured. Not a spec of dirt... It was nice to see and I will always have my eye on it sir! Also, your comrades were working in full force along your stretch and although I am not a fan of tickets - it was nice to see which I'm sure you did from above/// Thank you sir///

citizen

May 26, 2008

even though i didnt know you well enough you are such an angel to your family ... ive gotten to know them very well over the last year because im dating you nephew brad ... and i just hope that one day the man that killed you gets what he deserves even though nothing can replace a life lost .... i believe he should get what is coming for him. and you will never be forgotten.

Leah

May 5, 2008

I did not know you personally but I wanted to thank you for your service. I will be looking the next time I run down that stretch of road for your sign! On this day many years ago a senseless act by a criminal took the life of someone who swore to protect us. I wish his commuted sentence affords him the time today to feel like the trash he is!!!!

January 19, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE, ALTHOUGH YOUR KILLER DID HAS HIS SENTANCE COMMUTED, THANK GOD HE WAS NOT PAROLED.

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

January 11, 2008

"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

January 8, 2008

I didn't stay on with the Patrol after 1993. I do think about the job often. I remember you like it was then. The Troopers running us all over the place. Trooper Harter throwing chalk at us. I don't believe I was ever so tired or so proud in all my life. We had a kinship in that class. I didn't realize it was January 1996 when you were taken from family and friends. It seems forever ago. God bless you and all of our fallen comrades.

Fmr. Trooper Brent Spoon
124th Classmate

January 3, 2008

My husband and I were returning from a visit to Cincinnati this Thanksgiving holiday. We noticed the sign designating that stretch of highway to Trooper Gross, and looked up the story on the internet when we got home. I just wanted to say, "Thank You, Trooper Gross."

Anonymous in North Olmsted

November 24, 2007

I attended the Ohio State Highway Patrol's memorial service for the first time this past May and was moved by the dedication the Patrol has for remembering it's fallen officers. I was also greatly moved by the number of family members who come back year after year to honor their loved ones...some who have died over 50 years ago.

My boyfriend is a trooper with the Ohio State Highway Patrol. I have always been proud of his job and his affiliation with the Patrol, but am even more so after attending the service. People always use the "words" "you will never be forgotten. The family of OSHP live by those words.

Becky Muncy, widow of Sgt. Marc Muncy
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Franklin County

September 21, 2007

Deputy Gross, I recently had the honor of travelling on that sacred stretch of road where you made the ultimate sacrifice protecting the citizens of Ohio and our nation. Your brothers in gray will surely never forget you, nor will the rest of your brothers and sisters in law enforcement, whether they wear brown, blue, white, tan - whatever color. We are all striving to achieve the same goal, no matter what the color of our uniform. Patrol the highways of Heaven, Sir, we have the watch down here!

Deputy Sheriff
Marion County Sheriff's Department, Indiana

August 11, 2007

On behalf of the Fraternal Order of Police, Capital City lodge #9 in Columbus, Ohio we are very sorry for the loss of your life while serving your community and our country! God bless your family!

President Jim Gilbert
Fraternal Order of Police,Capital City Lodge #9, Columbus, Ohio

July 9, 2007

I remeber this day vividly. My father was off duty at the time, he had been listening to the scanner when her heard the call for go out. Immediately he put on his uniform and got into his unmarked and went immediately into code 3. to this day i wont ever forget what happened. Its situations like this that made me want to become a Trooper.

Thank you for your service to your community, and most importantly to your country Jim. Youre truely an inspiration, even though I never meet you.

July 7, 2007

Jim was a great guy, I heard about this when I was living in North Carolina, now that I am back here, I visit Jims grave regularly. Jim was a great guy, he went to the Medina County Career Center with me. Every day Jim would come up and say " Kim, can you get me out of lab," and most days I would. I was in DHO so we had to get guys from different classes to do EKG's and massages. I really miss Jim, and I pray for him daily. God Bless you Jim!

Kim Olsick
Friend

July 3, 2007

I was in the academy class behind yours. Our classes overlapped a few weeks. I remember we wished we were your class, ready to graduate and hit the road! I remember seeing you in the hallway in the dorms with your class. When I heard of the news, it was a reality check that this can happen to any one of us. You were responding to call that has happened hundreds of times, but with a different and tragic result. If only you had not been able to locate that car! Every officer's death is senseless. But let us use your's, Frank Vazquez's, and Robert Perez's life as motivation to be safe out there and get the drugged drivers off the road!

trooper
OSHP

April 18, 2007

It's hard to believe it's been 11 years; I remember that day so clearly. It's an ugly thing as a child to realize that your heroes can die. I can remember watching the funeral and what seemed like an endless line of cars. I think of you and all of OSP's fallen every drive on I-71. We are all still keeping watch here; the lessons passed on from all of those at OSP are not lost on me. Rest in peace, you are not forgotten.

February 17, 2007

I used to run between columbus and richfeild and once in a while I would report disabled vehicles and such. I know he was one of the troopers I talked to. When I heard the news the next day I was very upset. He was a good man and will be sorely missed.
All I could do was deliver a card to his post.
Wish there was more I could do.
Dennis Stotts
Akron, OH

Dennis Stotts
Truck Driver

January 3, 2007

I am from Lima, Ohio and I pass by Trooper Gross'site on the highway as my wife and I travel up to watch the Cleveland Brown's games. We always comment on the site each trip and this last one we decided to look it up on the net. Our thought's and prayer's are with Trooper Gross and his family. He is a true American hero.

John Butler
none

November 20, 2006

I drive by the memorial often without much thought,From now on I will be thinking of Trooper Gross's sacrafice.

William Kimpel

July 26, 2006

I pass by the site where your watch ended. I salute you each and every time. You are a hero !
Rest in Peace my friend !

July 25, 2006

Our family misses you everyday. If you could see us now, you would smile!
Rest peacefully

Tom and Judy
Family

January 18, 2006

Jim was a good man. Though I was at an adjacent post, I had the honor of working with him several times.

I just don't have the words to properly express your loss. It wasn't long after Jim left us that I left OSHP.

All that actaully knew Jim lost something that night, something that haunts me to this day.

May God rest your soul Jim.

Former Unit 844
OSHP

November 30, 2005

Fallen but not forgotten! Thanks for your service Jim. To the family of Trooper Gross, when I travel to Columbus I always remember to salute as I go by the 190 milepost. It is a reminder of the sacrifice Jim and his family gave on a cold January midnight shift.

Dear Lord, please bless this family especially Jim's children and give them peace and understanding in the years to come. May we all as State Troopers remember Jim and his sacrifice. May we lean not to our own understanding but acknowledge God in all our decisions and surely he will direct our paths. May God continue to bless and protect the Ohio State Troopers and their families as well as Officers all across Ohio.

SERGEANT M. E. HILL U-896
OSHP CANFIELD

November 17, 2005

GUN READY ONLY SAFE SALOUTION...i will carry that with me, thank you sir.

May 19, 2005