Roll of Honor
Incident
Jailer Russ Harris was shot and killed by an inmate who was attempting to escape from the Hinds County Jail at 2:30 p.m.
The inmate's two sisters smuggled a handgun to the prisoner earlier in the day. When Jailer Harris brought the inmate his lunch, the inmate shot him. Despite being shot, Jailer Harris was able to shoot and kill the prisoner after overpowering him and gaining control of the handgun. Jailer Harris then walked to the sheriff's office, where he told the sheriff what had happened before dying.
The inmate had been sentenced to death for the murders of Federal Prohibition Agent Jacob Green and Town Marshal William Dunnam of the Richton Police Department.
The sisters pleaded guilty, and one was sentenced to two years in prison and the other six months.
Jailer Harris had served with the Hinds County Sheriff's Office for 10 years and previously served with the Jackson Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by three sisters and three brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MS-A4D7293D- 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.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Jailer Harris gave the Hinds County Sheriff's Office 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Jackson community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Jailer Harris.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Jailer John Russell Harris is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In MS, 242 of 349 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.3% of this state's fallen. That is 15.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Hinds County Sheriff's Office, 4 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Russell Harris's cause is highlighted.
How John Russell Harris Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Russell Harris is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Russell Harris was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Hinds County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
