New York City Police Department, New York
End of Watch: Thursday, August 2, 1979
Age: 30
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: 8194
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: August 2, 1979
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Police Officer Michael Russell was shot and killed while off-duty as he attempted to arrest a man who shot and killed a civilian.
Officer Russell had just finished his tour and went to a softball field at a local public school to play softball with several officers from his precinct and several community members. During the game, three men began to slowly walk across the field, interrupting the game. When the civilian playing in the outfield asked the men to get off the field, one of the men drew an Arminius .38 special and fatally shot him. The subject then fled with Officer Russell and several other off-duty officers in pursuit.
The man exchanged several shots with the officers and was struck twice in the legs. He was cornered in the rear yard of 203 Essex Street in Brooklyn. Officer Russell was shot in the stomach as he and other officers attempted to take the man into custody.
Officer Russell was transported to the hospital where he died from his wound several hours later.
The 18-year-old subject was convicted of second-degree murder and manslaughter and sentenced to life in prison. He was paroled in August 2020.
Officer Russell was assigned to the 75th Precinct. He was survived by his wife and two children.