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Incident
Reserve Officer Russell Simpson drowned while attempting to rescue a teenage boy who had been swept into the ocean while walking his dog along the beach.
He had responded to the scene and was part of a rope-chain of people attempting to reach the boy. Reserve Officer Simpson was also pulled under by the strong current and swept into the ocean. The boy was rescued a short time later by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Reserve Officer Simpson had served with the Bandon Police Department as a code enforcement officer and a reserve officer for four years. He was a retired firefighter from the Los Angeles County, California, Fire Department.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, mother, and brother, who is also an officer with the Bandon Police Department.
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.
Reserve Officer Simpson gave the Bandon Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Bandon community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Reserve Officer Simpson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Russell is the only officer of Bandon Police Department remembered here.
Russell is one of 66 officers lost to accidents in OR, 33.5% of the 197 remembered there.
Russell is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Russell is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2003, 1 officer in OR was lost to accidents, the 19th heaviest of 45 years on record. The heaviest was 1961, with 3.
In 2003, 80 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 27th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2003, 94 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 29th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Russell was 51. Of the 59 lost to accidents in OR whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 44.5; the middle age was 36. Russell had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Russell was 51. 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. Russell had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Russell was 51. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Russell had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 4.5% of these deaths in OR; May holds the most, 16.7%. Mondays: 9.1%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.4%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Bandon Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 33.5% of all 197 deaths in OR, 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 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 46-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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