In the wake of the tragic incident involving the fatal shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis, the public conversation has often focused on the immediate, high-tension moments captured on video. However, to understand the man behind the badge—Jonathan Ross—one must look at a decades-long history defined by military service, a commitment to public safety, and a personal life built on the foundations of faith and family.
Amidst a polarized national debate, those who know Jonathan best, including his father, Ed Ross, have stepped forward to share a different perspective: one of a dedicated officer who has spent his entire adult life serving his country and who, only months prior, narrowly escaped death while performing his duties.
A Career Rooted in National Security
Jonathan Ross, 43, is not merely an “agent”; he is a veteran with a distinguished record of service in some of the most challenging environments on earth. His journey in public service began long before he arrived in the Twin Cities.
- Iraq War Veteran: Ross served in the Indiana National Guard and was deployed to Iraq from 2004 to 2005. During this time, he operated as a machine gunner on combat logistical patrol teams—a role that required immense courage and constant vigilance against insurgent threats.
- Decades in Law Enforcement: Following his military service, Ross spent eight years with the U.S. Border Patrol stationed near El Paso, Texas. There, he worked in field intelligence and tracking, securing one of the most volatile stretches of the U.S. border.
- Specialized Expertise: Since 2015, Ross has been a pivotal member of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Special Response Team (SRT). This elite tactical unit is reserved for highly trained officers who maintain expert marksman qualifications and undergo rigorous, ongoing training in specialized law enforcement skills.
The June Incident: A Hero’s Sacrifice
One of the most critical elements of Jonathan Ross’s recent history is an event that occurred just six months prior to the Minneapolis shooting. In June 2025, while attempting to arrest a convicted sex offender in Bloomington, Minnesota, Ross was seriously injured.
During that enforcement operation, the suspect attempted to flee in a vehicle. Ross’s arm became trapped inside the car, and he was dragged for nearly 100 yards at high speed. The incident left him with severe injuries requiring over 30 stitches and a long road to recovery.
“That very ICE officer nearly had his life ended six months ago,” Vice President JD Vance remarked. “He’s been assaulted. He’s been attacked. He’s been injured because of it. He deserves a debt of gratitude for the job he does.”
This prior trauma highlights the daily risks faced by agents like Ross, who often confront dangerous individuals while working to remove high-threat targets from American communities.
A “Kind and Tremendous” Family Man
Beyond the tactical gear and the high-stakes operations, Jonathan Ross is described by his family as a man of deep personal integrity. His father, Ed Ross, an 80-year-old Illinois resident, recently shared his immense pride in his son’s character.
- Devoted Father and Husband: Jonathan is a “tremendous” father and husband, according to his father. He is married to an immigrant wife who is now a U.S. citizen, a detail that family members say reflects his personal appreciation for the legal path to American citizenship.
- Man of Faith: Described as a “committed, conservative Christian,” Ross’s life is grounded in his religious beliefs, which his family says guides his sense of duty and morality.
- Professional Integrity: To those who know him personally, the image of a “reckless” officer is unrecognizable. “You would never find a nicer, kinder person,” Ed Ross stated, emphasizing that his son acted according to the training he has honed over nearly twenty years in the field.
Supporting the Front Lines
As the investigation into the Minneapolis shooting continues, the administration has doubled down on its support for Ross. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and other federal officials have characterized the incident as an act of self-defense, noting that federal agents operate under immense pressure in city environments where they are often met with hostility.
The story of Jonathan Ross is a reminder of the human element behind federal law enforcement. It is a story of a machine gunner in Iraq, a tracker on the Texas border, and a father in Minnesota—a man who has repeatedly placed himself in harm’s way to uphold the laws of the nation.