Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Lee Russell was shot and killed near Ewing Chapel while attempting to arrest two men who were transporting liquor from Arkansas into Indian Territory.
As Deputy Russell informed the men they were under arrest one of them opened fire with a shotgun, wounding him. Despite the wound, Deputy Russell was able to return fire and killed the subject. The second subject pretended to surrender and then opened fire with a handgun, striking Deputy Russell five time before fleeing the scene.
Deputy Russell was able to walk back to his nearby home but succumbed to his wounds the following morning.
The subject who fled was arrested in Arkansas several days later. He was returned to Oklahoma, convicted of murder, and sentenced to life at hard labor.
Deputy Russell was survived by his wife and 5-year-old son.
Survivors
Deputy Russell was survived by his wife and 5-year-old son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OK-1F9EBC1D- 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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Russell served with the Adair County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Stilwell community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Russell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Lee Russell is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In OK, 403 of 582 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.2% of this state's fallen. That is 69.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Adair County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Lee Russell's cause is highlighted.
How Lee Russell Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Lee Russell is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Lee Russell was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Adair County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
