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Incident
Trooper Russell Harper was shot and killed after stopping a vehicle for speeding. The man exited his truck and opened fire with an automatic weapon, killing Trooper Harper before he could exit his cruiser. Over 25 shots were fired at Trooper Harper's patrol car. The suspect, a convicted felon with a long history of arrests and convictions, was arrested two days later. He was executed on April 4, 1998, for the murder of Trooper Harper. Trooper Harper had been with the Missouri State Highway Patrol for 18 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three sons, and a stepdaughter.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Trooper Harper gave the Missouri State Highway Patrol 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Missouri. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Harper.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Missouri State Highway Patrol has lost 33 officers; 13 of them killed feloniously.
Russell is one of 527 officers killed feloniously in MO, 63.6% of the 829 remembered there.
Russell is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Russell is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1987, 1 officer at Missouri State Highway Patrol was killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 10 years on record. The heaviest was 1941, with 2.
In 1987, 4 officers in MO were killed feloniously, the 41st heaviest of 146 years on record. The heaviest was 1920, with 16.
In 1987, 97 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 55th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1987, 117 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 50th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Russell was 45. Of the 13 killed feloniously at Missouri State Highway Patrol whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 37; the middle age was 33. Russell had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 9 years.
Russell was 45. Of the 477 killed feloniously in MO whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Russell had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Russell was 45. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Russell had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Russell was 45. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Russell had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 7.7% of these deaths at Missouri State Highway Patrol; October holds the most, 23.1%. Sundays: 30.8%.
February holds 8.9% of these deaths in MO; December holds the most, 11%. Sundays: 16.9%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 39.4% of all 33 deaths at Missouri State Highway Patrol, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 7.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.6% of all 829 deaths in MO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 4.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Missouri State Highway Patrol has 33 officers remembered here, Russell among them.
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Benjamin Oliver Booth
Jun 14, 1933
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Fred L. Walker
Dec 3, 1941
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Victor O. Dosing
Dec 7, 1941
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Charles P. Corbin
Sep 15, 1943
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Ross S. Creach
Dec 12, 1943
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John N. Greim
Jul 13, 1945
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Wayne W. Allman
Oct 27, 1955
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Jesse Roger Jenkins
Oct 14, 1969
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Gary Wayne Snodgrass
Feb 21, 1970
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William R. Brandt
Jun 12, 1970
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Dennis Harris Marriott
Jun 13, 1981
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James M. Froemsdorf
Mar 2, 1985
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Jimmie Elliott Linegar
Apr 15, 1985
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Russell Wynn Harper
Feb 8, 1987
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Henry Corwin Bruns
Feb 16, 1987
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Robert Joseph Kolilis
Sep 21, 1988
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Michael Elliott Webster
Oct 2, 1993
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Randy Vincent Sullivan
Feb 17, 1996
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David Cargene May
May 17, 1999
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Robert Gene Kimberling
Oct 6, 1999
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Robert Alton Guilliams
Feb 16, 2001
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Kelly Leland Poynter
Jan 18, 2002
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Michael Lynn Newton
May 22, 2003
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Carl Dewayne Graham, Jr.
Mar 20, 2005
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Ralph Charles Tatoian
Apr 20, 2005
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John Anthony Sampietro, Jr.
Aug 17, 2005
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Donald Kevin Floyd
Sep 22, 2005
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Dennis Edward Engelhard
Dec 25, 2009
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Joseph George Schuengel
Oct 15, 2010
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Frederick Freeman Guthrie, Jr.
Aug 1, 2011
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James Matthew Bava
Aug 28, 2015
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Myron Downey
Sep 29, 2020
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Lonnie Raymond Lejeune
Dec 10, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 50-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
32 officers from Missouri State Highway Patrol are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
