Roll of Honor
Russell Wireman
Incident
Location: Kentucky Weapon: Gun; Unknown type Offender: Pardoned
Deputy Marshal Russell Wireman was shot and killed as he and a posse attempted to arrest a group of men for moonshining in Knott County, Kentucky.
As the posse rode up to the men, the group fled into a nearby apple orchard at Cross Fork of the Kentucky River in Knox County. After a brief standoff, shots were exchanged, and Marshal Wireman was shot and killed. The remainder of the posse retreated to safety while the suspects all fled.
The two brothers who were believed to have shot Deputy Wireman eventually fled to Indian Territory. One of the brothers was arrested in 1894, convicted of conspiracy to prevent a United States Marshal from the discharge of his duties, and sentenced to life in prison. In 1901, he was pardoned by President McKinley. The other brother was never arrested.
Deputy Marshal Wireman had served with the United States Marshals Service for three years.
DUSM Wireman, On today, the 130th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
BPA Mike Casey United States Border Patrol El Paso Station March 26th, 2019
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-FED-00829888- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
137 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy U.S. Marshal Wireman gave the United States Department of Justice 3 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy U.S. Marshal Russell Wireman 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 DC, 754 of 1,419 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.1% of this state's fallen. That is 1.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service, 251 of 313 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80.2% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Russell Wireman's cause is highlighted.
How Russell Wireman Compares
Offender Outcome
Pardoned
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Russell Wireman is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Russell Wireman was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
312 officers from United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
