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Incident
Officer Rusk was shot and killed by two Indians who were seeking revenge against him. He had recently prevented a jailbreak by the two men. Officer Rusk had gone prospecting and was attacked by the two at his campsite. The two suspects were apprehended by a posse, convicted of his murder, and sent to prison.
Survivors
Officer Rusk was survived by his wife and eight 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
140 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Officer Rusk served with the Spokane Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Spokane community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Spokane Police Department has lost 15 officers; 10 of them killed feloniously.
Robert is one of 187 officers killed feloniously in WA, 55% of the 340 remembered there.
Robert is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Robert is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1886, 2 officers at Spokane Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1886, 2 officers in WA were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 96 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 8.
In 1886, 51 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 139th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1886, 58 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 135th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Robert was 45. Of the 10 killed feloniously at Spokane Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 36.5 and 47.5; the middle age was 43.5.
Robert was 45. Of the 159 killed feloniously in WA whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 46; the middle age was 41.
Robert was 45. 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.
Robert was 45. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
April holds 20% of these deaths at Spokane Police Department, more than any other month. Thursdays: 20%.
April holds 11.2% of these deaths in WA; November holds the most, 11.8%. Thursdays: 14.4%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 15 deaths at Spokane Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 60% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 55% of all 340 deaths in WA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 24.6% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Spokane Police Department has 15 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
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Robert J. Rusk
Apr 22, 1886
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Ephraim John Hubbard
Sep 7, 1886
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Henry A. Stotko
Apr 4, 1905
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Alfred B. Waterbury
Oct 28, 1909
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John T. Sullivan
Jan 7, 1911
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Fred Arthur Wilson Goddard
Mar 5, 1913
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Michael F. Tynan
Jun 24, 1916
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William D. Nelson
Mar 19, 1920
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Frederick A. Germain
Jul 21, 1922
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Roy Fordyce
Nov 13, 1929
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John Henry Miller
Feb 12, 1939
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George P. Lancaster
Nov 18, 1943
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Brian Frederick Orchard
Jul 20, 1983
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Robbin B. Best
Feb 13, 1987
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Jon David Anderson
Jul 5, 2019
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 35-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Spokane Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
