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Christopher Wayne Russell
Agency patch
Police Officer

Christopher Wayne Russell

New Orleans Police Department — New Orleans, LA
Felonious
United States flag Louisiana flag
End of Watch August 4, 2002
Age 35
Tour of Duty 5 yrs
The Vigil Panel 334 · Column 1 · Line 8 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 127

Incident

Police Officer Christopher Russell was shot and killed while responding to an armed robbery call at a bar on the 1800 block of North Roman Street at 3:30 am.

As he arrived on the scene, three suspects were running from the bar and opened fire on the officers before they even exited their patrol car, striking Officer Russell in the head. Officer Russell was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.

One of the suspects was apprehended a short time later and charged with murder, attempted murder, and 16 counts of armed robbery. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on July 27th, 2004. The three remaining suspects were apprehended within two days and are awaiting trial.

Officer Russell was assigned to the 5th District and had served with the New Orleans Police Department for five years. He was survived by his expectant wife, 13-month-old daughter, parents, and a sister. His wife gave birth to his son in February 2003.

Survivors

He was survived by his expectant wife, 13-month-old daughter, parents, and a sister.

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.
Police Officer Russell gave the New Orleans Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the New Orleans community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Russell.

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

Agency

Department New Orleans Police Department
Type Police Department
Location New Orleans, Orleans Parish, LA
Platform Identity nopd.orleans.la.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 4, 2002
Tour of Duty 5 yrs
Age 35
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Gun; Unknown type

The Sacrifice · Felonious

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

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  3. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 2002, 73 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 96th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Christopher was 35. 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. Christopher had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

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%. Sundays: 15.2%.

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 gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

New Orleans Police Department has at least 120 officers remembered here, Christopher among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Police Officer Christopher Wayne Russell

New Orleans Police Department · End of Watch August 4, 2002

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 29-W

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