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Incident
Officer Rufus Lishness was shot while trying to arrest a suspect for disturbing the peace at about 3:00 am. Unable to gain entrance at the door, Officer Lishness was going in a window when he was shot in the head. He was able to walk back to the police station with the assistance of another officer where he lapsed into unconsciousness and died at approximately 9:00 am. Harry Burns was arrested about an hour after the shooting and attempting to shoot another officer, who knocked his arm away as he attempted to shoot him. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to 14 years.
Survivors
Officer Lishness was survived by his wife and four children.
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
142 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Police Officer Lishness served with the Augusta Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Augusta community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Augusta Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Rufus is one of 37 officers killed feloniously in ME, 43% of the 86 remembered there.
Rufus is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Rufus is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1884, 2 officers in ME were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1884, 52 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 137th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1884, 54 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 136th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Rufus was 43. Of the 32 killed feloniously in ME whose age is recorded, half were between 34.3 and 49.5; the middle age was 42.
Rufus was 43. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Rufus was 43. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
November holds 10.8% of these deaths in ME; January holds the most, 10.8%. Tuesdays: 10.8%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Augusta Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 43% of all 86 deaths in ME, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 24.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Augusta Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Rufus among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 12-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Augusta Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
