Roll of Honor

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Deputy Sheriff

Lee Russell

Adair County Sheriff's Office — Stilwell, OK

Felonious

End of Watch December 19, 1915

Age 33

The Vigil Panel 30 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 2

Incident

Deputy Sheriff Lee Russell was shot and killed near Ewing Chapel while attempting to arrest two men who were transporting liquor from Arkansas into Indian Territory.

As Deputy Russell informed the men they were under arrest one of them opened fire with a shotgun, wounding him. Despite the wound, Deputy Russell was able to return fire and killed the subject. The second subject pretended to surrender and then opened fire with a handgun, striking Deputy Russell five time before fleeing the scene.

Deputy Russell was able to walk back to his nearby home but succumbed to his wounds the following morning.

The subject who fled was arrested in Arkansas several days later. He was returned to Oklahoma, convicted of murder, and sentenced to life at hard labor.

Deputy Russell was survived by his wife and 5-year-old son.

Survivors

Deputy Russell was survived by his wife and 5-year-old son.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-OK-1F9EBC1D
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.
Deputy Sheriff Russell served with the Adair County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Stilwell community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Russell.

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

Agency

Department Adair County Sheriff's Office

Location Stilwell, OK

Platform Identity acso.adair.ok.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 19, 1915

Age 33

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Handgun

Offender Shot and killed

Deputy Sheriff Lee 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 OK, 403 of 582 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.2% of this state's fallen. That is 15 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Adair County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Adair County Sheriff's Office

of 3 officers

100% Felonious

OK — Statewide

403

of 582 officers

69.2% 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. Lee 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 Lee Russell Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Shot and killed

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Lee Russell is highlighted in Dec.

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. Lee Russell was killed by 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

2 officers from Adair County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.