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Incident
Patrolman Henry Russell was killed in an automobile accident on Highway 85, four miles north of Belle Fourche, while returning to his duty station after participating in an all-night manhunt in Harding County. His vehicle veered across the center line and struck a county highway department truck head-on. Patrolman Russell had served with the South Dakota Highway Patrol for 10 years. His badge number was retired from service after his death.
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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.
Patrolman Russell gave the South Dakota Highway Patrol 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of South Dakota. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Russell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
South Dakota Highway Patrol has lost 5 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
Henry is one of 19 officers lost to accidents in SD, 29.7% of the 64 remembered there.
Henry is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Henry 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 1958, 1 officer in SD was lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1958, 50 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 96th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1958, 61 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 89th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Henry had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 7.9 years.
Henry had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Henry had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 15.8% of these deaths in SD, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 21.1%.
November holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
November holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 60% of all 5 deaths at South Dakota Highway Patrol, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.7% of all 64 deaths in SD, 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
South Dakota Highway Patrol has 5 officers remembered here, Henry among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 49-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from South Dakota Highway Patrol are honored on badge.nw.
