Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Russell Pettie was shot and killed while serving an arrest warrant to a suspect who was known to be armed and dangerous. The suspect was sought to appear at a sanity hearing, where his mother intended to commit him. As officers searched the house at 1808 North Taylor Street, shots were fired from an attic window. Detective Pettie was struck in the head and died instantly. The suspect had barricaded himself inside the home with an arsenal of weapons and held officers at bay for three hours before being killed. Detective Pettie was a U.S. Army Air Force veteran and had served with the Arlington County Police Department for seven years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-15601750- 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.
Detective Pettie gave the Arlington County Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Arlington 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 C. Pettie served in the Other before joining law enforcement.
Detective Russell C. Pettie 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 VA, 395 of 654 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Arlington County Police Department, 4 of 8 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Russell C. Pettie's cause is highlighted.
How Russell C. Pettie Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Russell C. Pettie is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Russell C. Pettie was killed by rifle; .30-.30.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Arlington County Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
