Roll of Honor
Incident
Corrections Officer Rhonda Russell was shot and killed after a struggle for her firearm at the holding area of the Central Court building at 615 Fourth Street in Altoona.
A male inmate attacked and disarmed Officer Russell while waiting for a court hearing. An Altoona police officer who was in the court building saw the altercation between Officer Russell and the suspect. The suspect had restrained Officer Russell and aimed the weapon at the officer. The officer shot at the suspect, but the suspect moved Officer Russell into the line of fire. She was transported to UPMC Altoona, where she succumbed to her wounds.
The inmate who attacked Officer Russell was charged with murder of the second degree and murder of a law enforcement officer of the second degree. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life for murder and 60-120 years for other charges.
Officer Russell had served 16 years with the Blair County Prison.
Survivors
She is survived by her three sons, fiancé, and parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-67654332- 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 Rhonda. 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.
Corrections Officer Russell gave the Blair County Prison 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hollidaysburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corrections Officer Russell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Corrections Officer Rhonda Jean 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 PA, 417 of 1,261 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 33.1% of this state's fallen. That is 2.1 percentage points above the national rate of 31%.
At Blair County Prison, 1 of 2 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Rhonda Jean Russell's cause is highlighted.
How Rhonda Jean Russell Compares
Offender Outcome
Life in prison
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Rhonda Jean Russell is highlighted in Nov.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Blair County Prison are honored on badge.nw.
