Dep. Ross Cochran was killed in an automobile accident while on duty Nov. 19, 1951, while traveling northbound on Highway 99, enroute to investigate a burglary at Tagus Ranch. He struck the right side of a southbound vehicle which had crossed into the northbound lane. The accident occurred approximately 2 ½ miles north of Tulare. Dep. Cochran died while enroute to the hospital.

The occupants of the other vehicle were two Bakersfield, California brothers who had been traveling on he wrong side of the “then” two lane highway.

Deputy Ross Cochran had been a law enforcement officer for over twenty years, having been a cattle inspector, a Tulare Police officer, and acting Tulare Police Chief then a Deputy Sheriff with Tulare County. He had been with the Sheriff’s Department for approximately two months before his demise at the age of 63.

Deputy Ross Cochran born June 2, 1888 and died November 19, 1951.