Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Russell Wooten died after being struck on the head with a heavy piece of timber while attempting to arrest a drunk man.
He had encountered the man earlier in the evening and advised him to leave town after disarming him. The man instead went to a bar and began to create a disturbance.
Patrolman Wooten deputized a citizen and the two entered the bar to arrest the man. As they entered the man struck Patrolman Wooten on the head with the piece of wood. He then took Patrolman Wooten's revolver and shot him before assaulting and disarming the deputized the citizen. The other patrons of the bar attempted to subdue the man but he opened fire, killing one of the men.
The man fled the area but was shot and killed by posse members later in the day.
Patrolman Wooten died as a result of the blow to his head.
Patrolman Wooten was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Patrolman Wooten was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-73DAB95F- 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Wooten served with the Hazard Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Hazard community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Wooten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Russell S. Wooten 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 Hazard Police Department, 4 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Russell S. Wooten's cause is highlighted.
How Russell S. Wooten Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Russell S. Wooten is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Russell S. Wooten was killed by blunt object; lumber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Hazard Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
