Russell Allen Herrick
Agency patch
Patrolman

Russell Allen Herrick

Burton Police Department — Burton, MI
Veteran → Felonious
End of Watch May 8, 1980
Age 27
Tour of Duty 2 yrs
The Vigil Panel 122 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Russell Herrick was shot and killed as he and his partner responded to a holdup alarm at a store on Davison Road. As the officers approached the front of the store Patrolman Herrick was struck in the back by a shot from a high-powered rifle. His partner was shot in both arms but survived. Two suspects were arrested and charged with first-degree murder and assault with intent to murder. They were convicted and sentenced to life in prison. Patrolman Herrick had served with the Burton Police Department for two years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and daughter.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-FEEFCD16
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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Russell is one person.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Herrick gave the Burton Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Burton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Herrick.

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

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Burton, Genesee County, MI
Platform Identity bpd.genesee.mi.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 8, 1980
Tour of Duty 2 yrs
Age 27
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Rifle

Military Service

Russell Allen Herrick served in the U.S. Army (1973–1974) before joining law enforcement.

View full service record on salute.nw →

Patrolman Russell Allen Herrick 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 MI, 426 of 719 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.2% of this state's fallen. That is 59.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Burton Police Department, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.

Burton Police Department
2
of 3 officers
66.7% Felonious
MI — Statewide
426
of 719 officers
59.2% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Russell Allen Herrick's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Russell Allen Herrick Compares

Age at Death
27
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
2
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.4 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Russell Allen Herrick is highlighted in May.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Russell Allen Herrick was killed by rifle.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Military Service

Russell Allen Herrick served in the U.S. Army (1973–1974) before joining law enforcement.

Visit Russell Allen Herrick’s page on salute.nw →

His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.

Others Who Wore This Badge

2 officers from Burton Police Department are honored on badge.nw.