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Incident
Guard Frank Russell was accidentally shot and killed at the Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge. On the morning of January 22nd, 1938, Guard Russell was proceeding to his duty station while transporting two rifles and a bag carrying ammunition and a .45 caliber Colt revolver. The hammer of the revolver was positioned on a live round, instead of on an empty chamber. As Guard Russell entered tower number 4 (his duty station) he dropped the bag on the floor. When the bag hit the ground the Colt fired and the bullet struck Guard Russell in the head. He died approximately 15 minutes later.
Survivors
Guard Russell was survived by his wife, daughter, and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Guard Russell served with the Montana Department of Corrections.
Thank you for your service to the people of Montana. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Guard Russell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Montana Department of Corrections - State Prison has lost 4 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Frank is one of 34 officers lost to accidents in MT, 23.9% of the 142 remembered there.
Frank is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Frank is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1938, 1 officer in MT was lost to accidents, the 6th heaviest of 29 years on record. The heaviest was 1895, with 2.
In 1938, 89 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 15th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1938, 100 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 21st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Frank was 58. Of the 30 lost to accidents in MT whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 53.8; the middle age was 47.
Frank was 58. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36.
Frank was 58. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
January holds 14.7% of these deaths in MT; December holds the most, 17.6%. Saturdays: 23.5%.
January holds 7.7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
January holds 8.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 4 deaths at Montana Department of Corrections - State Prison, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 23.9% of all 142 deaths in MT, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Montana Department of Corrections - State Prison has 4 officers remembered here, Frank among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 34-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Montana Department of Corrections - State Prison are honored on badge.nw.
