Petoskey Department of Public Safety, Michigan
End of Watch: Tuesday, June 6, 1950
Age: 56
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: June 6, 1950
Weapon Used: Rifle; .22 caliber
Suspect Info: Died in prison
Officer Bob Russell was shot and killed when he and another officer saw a vehicle pull into a used car lot at the intersection of Wachtel Avenue and Mitchell Street at about 2:30 am.
Officer Russell went to the front of the business and the other officer went to the rear. As Officer Russell was searching the front one of two suspects shot him four times. Both suspects surrendered to police a short time later.
The man who killed Officer Russell was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison on June 28th, 1950. He died in prison on May 9th, 1968.
The other man was also convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison on July 1st, 1950. He was released from prison on December 2nd, 1960, when he was resentenced on a lesser charge.
Officer Russell was survived by his wife.