Roll of Honor
Incident
Constable Russell Ward was shot and killed while attempting to arrest two men for drunk and disorderly conduct.
The subject who murdered him was sentenced to six years in prison.
Constable Ward has served as constable for only two months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-75824E5E- 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.
Constable Ward served with the Johnson County Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Paintsville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Ward.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Constable Russell Ward 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Russell Ward's cause is highlighted.
How Russell Ward Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 6 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Russell Ward is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Russell Ward was killed by handgun.