Agent Ross

Lore & Background

Edgar Ross works for the Bureau of Investigation, the federal agency that precedes the modern FBI. Alongside his partner Archer Fordham, Ross orchestrates the operation to capture or kill the remaining members of John Marston's former gang. He is first encountered when he and Fordham coerce Marston into hunting down Bill Williamson, Javier Escuella, and Dutch van der Linde. Ross is pragmatic and ruthless, viewing Marston as a disposable asset. After Marston successfully tracks down Williamson in Mexico and Escuella at a Mexican Army fortress, Ross and Fordham force Marston to help them find Dutch van der Linde, who has formed a gang with disaffected Native Americans. Ross participates in thwarting Dutch's robbery of the Blackwater Bank and later joins the U.S. Army's assault on Dutch's mountain stronghold. After Dutch dies by suicide, Ross honors the agreement and releases John's family.

In Their Own Story

Ross first appears in Blackwater, where he and Fordham present Marston with an ultimatum: hunt down his former gang members or never see his wife and son again. When Marston tracks Bill Williamson to Fort Mercer and is shot and left for dead, Ross remains in the background, letting Marston recover and gather allies. After Marston kills Williamson in Mexico with the help of rebel leader Abraham Reyes, Ross and Fordham meet Marston in Blackwater and coerce him into one final job: tracking down Dutch van der Linde. Ross provides Marston with associates to aid in the search, and together they thwart Dutch's robbery of the Blackwater Bank. Ross then participates in the U.S. Army's assault on Dutch's mountain stronghold. When Dutch is chased to a cliff, he warns John that the government will not give him peace before dying by suicide. Afterward, Ross honors their agreement and releases John's family.

Reader's Guide

Edgar Ross is a key non-player character in Red Dead Redemption who serves as the primary antagonist driving the main plot. He is first encountered in the opening cutscene alongside Archer Fordham, where they force John Marston into service. Ross appears at several critical story junctures: after Marston returns from Mexico, Ross and Fordham coerce him into hunting Dutch van der Linde; during the assault on Dutch's mountain stronghold, Ross fights alongside the U.S. Army; and after Dutch's death, Ross releases Marston's family. Ross is not a combatant the player directly fights, but he represents the government's control over Marston's fate. His actions set the entire narrative in motion, and his final decision to release Marston's family provides the game's resolution. Players interact with Ross primarily through cutscenes and mission briefings, where his cold, businesslike demeanor underscores the government's willingness to use criminals as tools.

Did You Know?

• Edgar Ross is voiced by actor Jim Bentley.
• Ross works for the Bureau of Investigation, the precursor to the modern FBI.
• Ross and his partner Archer Fordham coerce John Marston by holding his wife and son hostage.
• Ross participates in the U.S. Army's assault on Dutch van der Linde's mountain stronghold.
• After Dutch's suicide, Ross honors the agreement and releases John's family.