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MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Urban Property Management is giving $10,000 to Memphis CrimeStoppers to help police find the person or persons who gunned down a long-time employee in South Memphis Monday morning.

Family members have identified the victim as 53-year-old Ross Collier and said he was on the job when he was killed for his 2023 F-150 pickup. MPD said the truck was recovered on Tuesday.

“They just abandoned it on the side of the road,” said Ashley Collier. “It was absolutely senseless.”

Police haven’t released many details about the shooting but believe it happened during a carjacking.

Collier’s supervisor John Hammer said Collier stopped by one of their properties after he got a call from a tenant who didn’t have heat or hot water.

Hammer said Collier checked the tenant’s breakers and told her a technician was on the way. He said thirty seconds after he walked outside, the tenant heard a gunshot.

“By the time she got to the door his truck was gone and he was at the curb,” said Hammer. “He said ‘call the police and tell my wife I love her.'”

  • Ross Collier
  • photos courtesy of Ashley Collier

Hammer said Collier was a jack of all trades who put the company and tenants first. He said Collier is the kind of worker who will be impossible to replace, and his death has hit the company hard.

“When I hired someone, I would tell them I can teach you all the skills of this trade, but what I can’t teach you is worth ethic and integrity like this guy has,” Hammer said. “He was just one of those guys everybody loved because he walked in with love.”

Collier was born and raised in the Cordova area. Ashley Collier said her brother leaves behind a wife, two stepchildren, and two sisters and will be missed by many.

Ross Collier with his stepchildren. Courtesy: Ashley Collier

“He had a heart of gold. Everybody who met him immediately loved him,” she said. “When you have the same friends all your life, it says something about you.”

Collier’s sister and boss say the crime in Memphis is out of control and only getting worse. Hammer said he’s concerned about the safety of all his employees.

“We know it’s dangerous, and, yes, there will be some rethinking, but really until this city decides they want to make the city a better place, there’s nothing we can do to guarantee their safety.”

He is hoping the extra $10,000 added to the Crimestoppers reward will get Collier’s killers off the streets.

If you have any information that can help investigators, call CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH.

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