Roll of Honor
Russell D. Mestdagh
Incident
Police Officer Russell Mestdagh was shot and killed during a robbery at Traxler Pharmacy at 651 East 59th Street in Kansas City. At 3:30 p.m., Officer Mestagh and his partner responded to a hold-up alarm at the pharmacy. He was shot four times as he confronted the suspects inside the store. One suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison and 40 years for robbery. A second suspect was sentenced to life and 50 years for robbery. A third suspect was sentenced to 10 years for robbery. Officer Mestdagh was a United States Army Vietnam War veteran and had served with the Kansas City Police Department for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his son, mother, stepfather, and three sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-2BAEC000- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Russell. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Police Officer Mestdagh gave the Kansas City Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Kansas City community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Russell D. Mestdagh served in the Army (1968â1971) before joining law enforcement.
Police Officer Russell D. Mestdagh 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 MO, 516 of 813 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.5% of this state's fallen. That is 9.3 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Kansas City Police Department, 72 of 120 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Russell D. Mestdagh's cause is highlighted.
How Russell D. Mestdagh Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Russell D. Mestdagh is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Russell D. Mestdagh was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
119 officers from Kansas City Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
