Henry J. Rossbach

How they died

Deadly force

Oswego police chief Dwight Baird and officer Rebecca Hayes shot Henry Rossbach after he allegedly came at them with a knife. At about 1 p.m., Rossbach walked from the Council Court Motel to a parked squad car on the Aurora-Oswego border. With a knife, Rossbach allegedly shattered the driver's side window. The officer called for assistance and stepped out of the car. Rossbach retreated to the motel, where at least 18 officers from several agencies confronted Rossbach outside. Rossbach reportedly became more aggressive and advanced on the officers. The officers shot him when he allegedly refused to drop the knife. Rossbach was pronounced dead at a hospital. This was reportedly the first such shooting in Oswego's history.

Why we remember them

This record exists so that Henry J. Rossbach, and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources