Madison Police Department, Alabama
End of Watch: Sunday, November 22, 1903
Age: 65
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Assault
Date of Incident: November 22, 1903
Weapon Used: Edged weapon; Axe
Suspect Info: Died in prison
Constable William Russell succumbed to injuries sustained when he was struck on the head by a woman wielding an axe, while attempting to serve court papers. The court papers were the result of the woman failing to pay for furniture.
The 33-year-old woman was charged with Constable Russell's murder and sentenced to life in prison. She died in prison on April 18, 1905, from tuberculosis.
Constable Russell was a veteran of the Army of the Confederate States of America and served in the Civil War. He had previously served as a deputy for the Madison County Sheriff's Department. He was survived by his wife and six children.