Albert Russell
Agency patch
Special Deputy Sheriff

Albert Russell

Felonious
End of Watch October 14, 1884
Age 23
Tour of Duty
The Vigil Panel 8 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Special Deputy Albert Russell, Patrolman Martin Gorman, and Patrolman Henry Schierloh, both of the Cincinnati Police Division, sustained fatal gunshot wounds during the Election Riot of 1884.

Over 1,300 men had been deputized by a United States Marshal in an effort to prevent voting fraud during a contentious election. Many of the deputized men were criminals who began feuding with the Cincinnati police officers and Hamilton County deputies who were also assigned to protect the polling stations.

As election day progressed, the tension between the two groups escalated and resulted in over 100 shots fired, 24 casualties (including Deputy Russell), five dying (including Patrolman Gorman), two seriously wounded (including Patrolman Schierloh), and 15 wounded.

Patrolman Gorman died on October 18th from an infection in the bullet wound. Patrolman Schierloh's wound was thought to be non-fatal, but it was discovered that the bullet moved upward into his body and into the liver; he died 12 days after the riot on October 30th.

The subject who shot Special Deputy Russell was later acquitted.

NEVER FORGET! Honoring the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice Patrolman Jahn E. Schmidt of the Butler Township Police Department, Ohio and additional 83 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer (Retired) Ohio Attorneys General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation October 14th, 2025

In Our Keeping

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BO-US-OH-7F2EBC8C
Stewardship
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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.
Special Deputy Sheriff Russell served with the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Cincinnati community. Gone but never to be forgotten.

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

Agency

Location Cincinnati, OH
Platform Identity hcso.hamilton.oh.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 14, 1884
Tour of Duty
Age 23
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Special Deputy Sheriff Albert 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 OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 3.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, 6 of 13 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 46.2% of this agency's fallen.

Hamilton County Sheriff's Office
6
of 13 officers
46.2% Felonious
OH — Statewide
572
of 991 officers
57.7% 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. Albert Russell'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 Albert Russell Compares

Age at End of Watch
23
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
0
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Albert Russell is highlighted in Oct.

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.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518