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Incident
Sergeant Mike Russ suffered a fatal heart attack after working three 16-hour days supporting the Blue Cross Bowl at Finley Stadium at 1826 Reggie White Boulevard in Chattanooga.
From November 30th, 2023, to December 2nd, 2023, Sergeant Russ was at Finley Stadium at 8:00 a.m., supporting record-breaking crowds at festivities and events before the bowl game. He also maintained his regular duties as a court liaison and his assignment at the Emergency Operations Center. During the three days, coworkers expressed concern for symptoms he was displaying, such as shortness of breath and coughing. He went home at about 10:00 p.m. to complete department documentation when he collapsed. Despite resuscitation efforts, he was unable to be revived.
Sergeant Russ was a United States Navy veteran and served with the Chattanooga Police Department for 16 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, mother, brother, nieces, and nephew.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtr0afa0rqk97ph4anaty- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 2 gates. James is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Sergeant Russ gave the Chattanooga Police Department 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chattanooga community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
James Michael Russ served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Chattanooga Police Department has lost 27 officers; 2 of them lost to cardiac events.
James is one of 37 officers lost to cardiac events in TN, 4.8% of the 769 remembered there.
James is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,552 remembered there.
James is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2023, 3 officers in TN were lost to cardiac events, the 2nd heaviest of 26 years on record. The heaviest was 1999, with 4.
In 2023, 10 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 61st heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 2023, 10 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 61st heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
James was 56. Of the 36 lost to cardiac events in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 41.8 and 54.3; the middle age was 49. James had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 15.5 years.
James was 56. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. James had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
James was 56. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. James had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
December holds 8.1% of these deaths in TN; March holds the most, 13.5%. Saturdays: 13.5%.
December holds 8.5% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Saturdays: 14.3%.
December holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.4%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 7.4% of all 27 deaths at Chattanooga Police Department, the 3rd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Chattanooga Police Department has 27 officers remembered here, James among them.
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Jonathan Merriman May 14, 1870
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James B. Wiggins Apr 28, 1879
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David C. Musgrove Dec 19, 1890
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Hugh Clark May
Sep 15, 1906
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Thomas Obadiah Musgrove Oct 31, 1906
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Clarence Livingston
Sep 1, 1912
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Carl Whitely Oct 10, 1918
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Paul Brown Oct 12, 1918
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James W. Duggan Jun 22, 1921
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James H. Cornett
Nov 4, 1931
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Jesse G. Shirley
Nov 8, 1931
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Walter J. Mashburn Jul 16, 1932
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Clyde J. Shipley
Dec 26, 1939
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Arlie E. Carr
Oct 27, 1942
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Ulysses Jackson
Sep 27, 1952
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Harry Thomas Shipley
Oct 4, 1953
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Morris Bertram Glenn
Apr 7, 1971
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Clarence E. Hamler
Aug 14, 1977
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Nelson I. Hess, V
Jun 12, 1978
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David L. Friederichsen
Jun 18, 1978
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Harry Wilcox Jan 18, 1979
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Richard Cartell Alexander
Oct 5, 2000
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Julie Rochelle Jacks
May 6, 2002
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James Timothy Chapin
Apr 2, 2011
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Nicholas Scott Galinger
Feb 24, 2019
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Joseph Brian Montijo
Nov 1, 2019
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James Michael Russ
Dec 2, 2023
Where
Military Service
James Michael Russ served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
Visit James Michael Russ’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 14-WT
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
26 officers from Chattanooga Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
