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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Ray Russell was killed when he was run over by a truck on Maple Street, just south of Vergennes, during a milk strike. Deputy Russell was riding on the milk truck, which was bound for New York, when a group of strikers stopped it and attempted to dump the truck's load. While attempting to fight off the strikers Deputy Russell fell from the truck and was run over. Four strikers were arrested and charged with manslaughter in connection with his death.
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.
Deputy Sheriff Russell served with the Addison County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Middlebury community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Russell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Addison County Sheriff's Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Ray is one of 12 officers lost to accidents in VT, 38.7% of the 31 remembered there.
Ray is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ray 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 1941, 1 officer in VT was lost to accidents, the 3rd heaviest of 10 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 2.
In 1941, 68 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 54th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1941, 90 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 38th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Ray was 43. Of the 12 lost to accidents in VT whose age is recorded, half were between 38 and 54.5; the middle age was 46.
Ray was 43. 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.
Ray was 43. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
July holds 16.7% of these deaths in VT; May holds the most, 25%. Thursdays: 16.7%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.
July holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Addison County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 100% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 38.7% of all 31 deaths in VT, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 8.3% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 1.6% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 1.3% of these deaths.
His people
Addison County Sheriff's Department has 2 officers remembered here, Ray among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 59-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Addison County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
