Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Rusk was shot and killed by two Indians who were seeking revenge against him. He had recently prevented a jailbreak by the two men. Officer Rusk had gone prospecting and was attacked by the two at his campsite. The two suspects were apprehended by a posse, convicted of his murder, and sent to prison.
Survivors
Officer Rusk was survived by his wife and eight children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WA-03CEE6C9- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
140 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Officer Rusk served with the Spokane Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Spokane community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Robert J. Rusk is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,756 officers honored here.
In WA, 187 of 340 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 55% of this state's fallen. That is 55 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Spokane Police Department, 10 of 15 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert J. Rusk's cause is highlighted.
How Robert J. Rusk Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert J. Rusk is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert J. Rusk was killed by gun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Spokane Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
