Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Michael Russell was shot and killed while off-duty as he attempted to arrest a man who shot and killed a civilian. Officer Russell had just finished his tour and went to a softball field at a local public school to play softball with several officers from his precinct and several community members. During the game, three men began to slowly walk across the field, interrupting the game. When the civilian playing in the outfield asked the men to get off the field, one of the men drew an Arminius .38 special and fatally shot him. The subject then fled with Officer Russell and several other off-duty officers in pursuit. The man exchanged several shots with the officers and was struck twice in the legs. He was cornered in the rear yard of 203 Essex Street in Brooklyn. Officer Russell was shot in the stomach as he and other officers attempted to take the man into custody. Officer Russell was transported to the hospital where he died from his wound several hours later. The 18-year-old subject was convicted of second-degree murder and manslaughter and sentenced to life in prison. He was paroled in August 2020. Officer Russell was assigned to the 75th Precinct.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-06D53B20- 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 Russell served with the New York City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Russell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Michael D. Russell 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 NY, 754 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.1% of this state's fallen. That is 19.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At New York City Police Department, 382 of 1237 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 30.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Michael D. Russell's cause is highlighted.
How Michael D. Russell Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Michael D. Russell is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Michael D. Russell was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1,236 officers from New York City Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
