Incident
Captain John Russell was shot and killed while attempting to apprehend an escaped prisoner on the outskirts of La Veta, Colorado.
The suspect was located in a cabin near the town. As Captain Russell approached the cabin the suspect opened fire. During the ensuing shootout both Captain Russell and the suspect were shot and killed
Captain Russell was survived by his wife.
Survivors
During the ensuing shootout both Captain Russell and the suspect were shot and killed
Captain Russell was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Captain Russell served with the Colorado Department of Corrections.
Thank you for your service to the people of Colorado. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Captain Russell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Colorado Department of Corrections has lost 18 officers; 14 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 236 officers killed feloniously in CO, 65.4% of the 361 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
John is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1913, 1 officer at Colorado Department of Corrections was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 7 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 8.
In 1913, 2 officers in CO were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 113 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 9.
In 1913, 133 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1913, 136 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 38th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 45. Of the 12 killed feloniously at Colorado Department of Corrections whose age is recorded, half were between 45 and 62.3; the middle age was 53.5.
John was 45. Of the 184 killed feloniously in CO whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 39.
John was 45. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
John was 45. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
June holds 7.1% of these deaths at Colorado Department of Corrections; October holds the most, 64.3%. Thursdays: 71.4%.
June holds 6.4% of these deaths in CO; October holds the most, 11.9%. Thursdays: 15.7%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 77.8% of all 18 deaths at Colorado Department of Corrections, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 14.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 65.4% of all 361 deaths in CO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 27.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Colorado Department of Corrections has 18 officers remembered here, John among them.
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Thomas Tobin Jul 4, 1899
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William C. Rooney Jan 22, 1900
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John B. Russell Jun 19, 1913
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Raymond Brown Oct 3, 1929
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John J. Eeles Oct 3, 1929
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Elmer G. Erwin Oct 3, 1929
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J. W. McClelland Oct 3, 1929
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C. Walter Rinker Oct 3, 1929
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Charles G. Shepherd Oct 3, 1929
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Robert A. Wiggins Oct 3, 1929
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Myron H. Goodwin Oct 10, 1929
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Victor Bryan McMillin Dec 21, 1961
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Marc A. Perse
Aug 15, 1994
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Eric Jason Autobee
Oct 18, 2002
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Mary Katherine Ricard
Sep 24, 2012
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Thomas Lynn Clements
Mar 19, 2013
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Joshua Eli Voth
Dec 4, 2019
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Christine Guerin-Sandoval
Sep 28, 2023
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 18-W
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