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John Russell
Police Officer

John Russell

Harrodsburg Police Dept. — Harrodsburg, KY
Felonious
United States flag Kentucky flag
End of Watch April 25, 1896
Age 60
Tour of Duty 10 yrs
The Vigil Panel 13 ›
Gender Male
Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 3

Incident

Police Officer John Russell was shot and killed by a man he was attempting to arrest for being drunk and disruptive in front of the Mercer National Bank at 134 South Main Street.

When told he was under arrest, the suspect went for his gun. As Officer Russell tried to subdue him, the suspect shot him. The police chief, who was rushing to assist, barely escaped being shot as he felled the suspect with his cane.

The man was taken into custody and charged with Officer Russell's murder.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-1A34CAD7
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.

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Tributes

130 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Police Officer Russell gave the Harrodsburg Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Harrodsburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.

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

Agency

Department Harrodsburg Police Dept.
Location Harrodsburg, KY
Platform Identity hpd.mercer.ky.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 25, 1896
Tour of Duty 10 yrs
Age 60
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Handgun; .38 caliber
Offender Apprehended

Police Officer John Russell 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 KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 22.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Harrodsburg Police Dept., 2 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.

Harrodsburg Police Dept.
2
of 4 officers
50% Felonious
KY — Statewide
755
of 983 officers
76.8% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

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

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How John Russell Compares

Age at End of Watch
60
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
10
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Apprehended

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Russell is highlighted in Apr.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Russell was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Incident Location