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Michael D. Russell
Agency patch
Police Officer

Michael D. Russell

New York City Police Department — New York, NY
Felonious
United States flag New York flag
End of Watch August 2, 1979
Age 30
Badge 8194
The Vigil Panel 121 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 1,221

Incident

Police Officer Michael Russell was shot and killed while off-duty as he attempted to arrest a man who shot and killed a civilian. Officer Russell had just finished his tour and went to a softball field at a local public school to play softball with several officers from his precinct and several community members. During the game, three men began to slowly walk across the field, interrupting the game. When the civilian playing in the outfield asked the men to get off the field, one of the men drew an Arminius .38 special and fatally shot him. The subject then fled with Officer Russell and several other off-duty officers in pursuit. The man exchanged several shots with the officers and was struck twice in the legs. He was cornered in the rear yard of 203 Essex Street in Brooklyn. Officer Russell was shot in the stomach as he and other officers attempted to take the man into custody. Officer Russell was transported to the hospital where he died from his wound several hours later. The 18-year-old subject was convicted of second-degree murder and manslaughter and sentenced to life in prison. He was paroled in August 2020. Officer Russell was assigned to the 75th Precinct.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and two children.

In Our Keeping

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Stewardship
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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.
Police Officer Russell served with the New York City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Russell.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department New York City Police Department
Type Police Department
Location New York, NY
Platform Identity nypd.newyork.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 2, 1979
Age 30
Badge Number 8194
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Michael is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1979, 136 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Michael was 30. 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.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

New York City Police Department has at least 120 officers remembered here, Michael among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Police Officer Michael D. Russell

New York City Police Department · End of Watch August 2, 1979

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 41-E

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