Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Rufus Lishness was shot while trying to arrest a suspect for disturbing the peace at about 3:00 am. Unable to gain entrance at the door, Officer Lishness was going in a window when he was shot in the head. He was able to walk back to the police station with the assistance of another officer where he lapsed into unconsciousness and died at approximately 9:00 am. Harry Burns was arrested about an hour after the shooting and attempting to shoot another officer, who knocked his arm away as he attempted to shoot him. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to 14 years.
Survivors
Officer Lishness was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-ME-8D8E0076- 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
142 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Police Officer Lishness served with the Augusta Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Augusta community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Rufus R. Lishness 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 ME, 43 of 102 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.2% of this state's fallen. That is 12 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Augusta 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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Rufus R. Lishness's cause is highlighted.
How Rufus R. Lishness Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 14 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Rufus R. Lishness is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Rufus R. Lishness was killed by handgun; revolver.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Augusta Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
