Frank L. Russell

Montana Department of Corrections - State Prison — Helena, MT

Accident

End of Watch January 22, 1938

Age 58

The Vigil Panel 74 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 3

Incident

Guard Frank Russell was accidentally shot and killed at the Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge. On the morning of January 22nd, 1938, Guard Russell was proceeding to his duty station while transporting two rifles and a bag carrying ammunition and a .45 caliber Colt revolver. The hammer of the revolver was positioned on a live round, instead of on an empty chamber. As Guard Russell entered tower number 4 (his duty station) he dropped the bag on the floor. When the bag hit the ground the Colt fired and the bullet struck Guard Russell in the head. He died approximately 15 minutes later.

Survivors

Guard Russell was survived by his wife, daughter, and son.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-MT-471BB400
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Frank. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Guard Russell served with the Montana Department of Corrections.
Thank you for your service to the people of Montana. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Guard Russell.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Montana Department of Corrections - State Prison

Location Helena, MT

Platform Identity mdcspcorr.lewisclark.mt.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch January 22, 1938

Age 58

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident

Guard Frank L. Russell is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In MT, 34 of 142 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 23.9% of this state's fallen. That is 7.1 percentage points below the national rate of 31%.

At Montana Department of Corrections - State Prison, 2 of 4 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.

Montana Department of Corrections - State Prison

of 4 officers

50% Accident

MT — Statewide

of 142 officers

23.9% Accident

Nationwide

10,088

of 32,508 officers

31% Accident