Roll of Honor

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Police Officer

Randolph E. Brightwell

Howard County Police Department — Ellicott City, MD

Felonious

End of Watch May 29, 1961

Age 33

The Vigil Panel 96 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 1

Incident

Police Officer Randolph Brightwell was shot and killed after stopping a car for having a loud muffler on Fells Lane in Ellicott City. Unbeknownst to Officer Brightwell, the two occupants had just committed an armed robbery of a convenience store and had murdered the clerk. During the traffic stop, the two men attacked Officer Brightwell and shot him with his own service weapon. Officer Brightwell's police canine was locked in his patrol car during the incident. Both men were convicted of murder but were released on parole after serving only 16 years. Officer Brightwell had served with the Howard County Police Department for six years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-MD-EB8176DD
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.
Police Officer Brightwell served with the Howard County Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Ellicott City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Brightwell.

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

Agency

Department Howard County Police Department

Location Ellicott City, MD

Platform Identity hcpd.howard.md.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 29, 1961

Age 33

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Officer's handgun

Offender Both paroled after 16 years

Police Officer Randolph E. Brightwell 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 MD, 195 of 377 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 51.7% of this state's fallen. That is 2.5 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At Howard County Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.

Howard County Police Department

of 2 officers

50% Felonious

MD — Statewide

195

of 377 officers

51.7% 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. Randolph E. Brightwell'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 Randolph E. Brightwell Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Both paroled after 16 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Randolph E. Brightwell is highlighted in May.

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. Randolph E. Brightwell was killed by officer's handgun.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518

Incident Location

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from Howard County Police Department are honored on badge.nw.