Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Mike Russ suffered a fatal heart attack after working three 16-hour days supporting the Blue Cross Bowl at Finley Stadium at 1826 Reggie White Boulevard in Chattanooga.
From November 30th, 2023, to December 2nd, 2023, Sergeant Russ was at Finley Stadium at 8:00 a.m., supporting record-breaking crowds at festivities and events before the bowl game. He also maintained his regular duties as a court liaison and his assignment at the Emergency Operations Center. During the three days, coworkers expressed concern for symptoms he was displaying, such as shortness of breath and coughing. He went home at about 10:00 p.m. to complete department documentation when he collapsed. Despite resuscitation efforts, he was unable to be revived.
Sergeant Russ was a United States Navy veteran and served with the Chattanooga Police Department for 16 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, mother, brother, nieces, and nephew.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-74D7A064- 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 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.
Sergeant Russ gave the Chattanooga Police Department 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chattanooga community. Thank you 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
James Michael Russ served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Sergeant James Michael Russ is one of 1,306 officers lost to cardiac events in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 4% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In TN, 37 of 769 officers were lost to cardiac events in the line of duty — 4.8% of this state's fallen. That is 0.8 percentage points above the national rate of 4%.
At Chattanooga Police Department, 2 of 27 officers on record were lost to cardiac events in the line of duty — 7.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Cardiac compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Michael Russ's cause is highlighted.
How James Michael Russ Compares
When Cardiac Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Cardiac deaths across the full memorial record. James Michael Russ is highlighted in Dec.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
26 officers from Chattanooga Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
