Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Randolph Brightwell was shot and killed after stopping a car for having a loud muffler on Fells Lane in Ellicott City. Unbeknownst to Officer Brightwell, the two occupants had just committed an armed robbery of a convenience store and had murdered the clerk. During the traffic stop, the two men attacked Officer Brightwell and shot him with his own service weapon. Officer Brightwell's police canine was locked in his patrol car during the incident. Both men were convicted of murder but were released on parole after serving only 16 years. Officer Brightwell had served with the Howard County Police Department for six years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MD-EB8176DD- 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.
Police Officer Brightwell served with the Howard County Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Ellicott City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Brightwell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Randolph E. Brightwell 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 MD, 195 of 377 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 51.7% of this state's fallen. That is 51.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Howard County Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Randolph E. Brightwell's cause is highlighted.
How Randolph E. Brightwell Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Randolph E. Brightwell is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Randolph E. Brightwell was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Howard County Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
