Chino Police Department, California
End of Watch: Tuesday, February 1, 2000
Age: 51
Tour of Duty: 12 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Date of Incident: February 1, 2000
Weapon Used: Automobile; Alcohol involved
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 15 years
Officer Russell Miller was struck by a drunk driver while making a traffic stop in the early morning hours.
During the stop, Officer Miller was walking from his cruiser towards the driver of a pickup truck when the drunk driver struck him from behind, throwing him into the bed of the pickup truck. After the collision, the drunk fled the scene, but was arrested a short time later after crashing into a telephone pole.
The driver of the pickup truck flagged down another passing patrol car for assistance. Officer Miller was flown to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead approximately ten hours after the incident.
The 21-year-old suspect was charged with second-degree murder and felony hit and run. He was convicted of gross vehicular manslaughter, felony hit-and-run, and sentenced to 15 years.
Officer Miller had served with the Chino Police Department for 12 years. He is survived by his wife and three children.