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Incident
Police Officer Randolph Brightwell was shot and killed after stopping a car for having a loud muffler on Fells Lane in Ellicott City. Unbeknownst to Officer Brightwell, the two occupants had just committed an armed robbery of a convenience store and had murdered the clerk. During the traffic stop, the two men attacked Officer Brightwell and shot him with his own service weapon. Officer Brightwell's police canine was locked in his patrol car during the incident. Both men were convicted of murder but were released on parole after serving only 16 years. Officer Brightwell had served with the Howard County Police Department for six years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Brightwell served with the Howard County Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Ellicott City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Brightwell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Howard County Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Randolph is one of 195 officers killed feloniously in MD, 51.6% of the 378 remembered there.
Randolph is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Randolph 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 1961, 1 officer in MD was killed feloniously, the 56th heaviest of 104 years on record. The heaviest was 2000, with 6.
In 1961, 69 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 104th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1961, 73 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 102nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Randolph was 33. Of the 178 killed feloniously in MD whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 43.8; the middle age was 35.
Randolph was 33. 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.
Randolph was 33. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
May holds 7.7% of these deaths in MD; June holds the most, 11.8%. Mondays: 16.9%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Howard County Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.6% of all 378 deaths in MD, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 9.2% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Howard County Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Randolph among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 31-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Howard County Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
