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Incident
Corrections Officer Rhonda Russell was shot and killed after a struggle for her firearm at the holding area of the Central Court building at 615 Fourth Street in Altoona.
A male inmate attacked and disarmed Officer Russell while waiting for a court hearing. An Altoona police officer who was in the court building saw the altercation between Officer Russell and the suspect. The suspect had restrained Officer Russell and aimed the weapon at the officer. The officer shot at the suspect, but the suspect moved Officer Russell into the line of fire. She was transported to UPMC Altoona, where she succumbed to her wounds.
The inmate who attacked Officer Russell was charged with murder of the second degree and murder of a law enforcement officer of the second degree. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life for murder and 60-120 years for other charges.
Officer Russell had served 16 years with the Blair County Prison.
Survivors
She is survived by her three sons, fiancé, and parents.
In Our Keeping
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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.
Corrections Officer Russell gave the Blair County Prison 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hollidaysburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corrections Officer Russell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Blair County Prison has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Rhonda is one of 417 officers lost to accidents in PA, 33% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Rhonda is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Rhonda 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 2021, 1 officer in PA was lost to accidents, the 95th heaviest of 133 years on record. The heaviest was 1932, with 14.
In 2021, 54 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 86th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2021, 55 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 96th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Rhonda was 47. Of the 412 lost to accidents in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48.3; the middle age was 38. Rhonda had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 8.6 years.
Rhonda was 47. 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. Rhonda had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Rhonda was 47. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Rhonda had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 7.7% of these deaths in PA; October holds the most, 10.6%. Wednesdays: 14.6%.
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 50% of all 2 deaths at Blair County Prison, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 33% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 0.2% 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 handgun, in 0.2% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 0.1% of these deaths.
Her people
Blair County Prison has 2 officers remembered here, Rhonda among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 33-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Blair County Prison are honored on badge.nw.
