Roll of Honor
Incident
Guard Matthias Rude was attacked and killed when a prisoner struck him on the head with a mattock in the Municipal Workhouse and Stockade (modern-day Jefferson Park). Guard Rude was assisting other officers guard 30 prisoners who were on a work detail. The prisoner who murdered him was sentenced to 10 years to life in prison, where he died in 1911. Guard Rude had served with the Seattle Police Department for three months and had previously served with the King County Sheriff's Office for four two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WA-D6130747- 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.
Guard Rude gave the Seattle Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Seattle community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Guard Rude.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Guard Matthias H. Rude 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 WA, 187 of 339 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 55.2% of this state's fallen. That is 1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Seattle Police Department, 44 of 60 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 73.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Matthias H. Rude's cause is highlighted.
How Matthias H. Rude Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Matthias H. Rude is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Matthias H. Rude was killed by edged weapon; pick ax.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
59 officers from Seattle Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
