KELSO, Wash. — Kelso High School paid tribute to a former student and hometown hero before a home football game against cross-town rival R.A. Long.
Deputy Justin DeRosier graduated from Kelso High in 2008. He played on both the offensive and defensive line in football.
At mid-field joined by members of the law enforcement community and his family, the school retired his jersey, number 73.
After high school, DeRosier attended and graduated from Washington State University and would later become a member of the Cowlitz County Sheriff's Department.
On April 13th, 2019 Deputy DeRosier was shot and killed when he was responding to a call about a complaint of a motor home blocking a driveway near Kalama.
Some 21 hours later, two police officers engaged a man believed to have shot DeRosier. The suspect showed a gun and was shot dead.
The suspect was identified as 33-year-old Brian Butts, of Kelso.