Officer Down Memorial Page

Rest in Peace, Patrolman Russell. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169
April 7, 2012

We have the old archived inmates files on the individual who committed this sickening crime, as he was housed here in California in the 1980's. Auditing the file led me to this site and the wonderful tribute to Officer Russell. This site is a beautiful way honor his memory.

M. Nathan
USP Lompoc
April 27, 2010

"The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC
October 15, 2007

I knew of Officer Russell when I was in Junior High and High School in Lewiston. I worked at a local dance hall and Officer Russell often worked the dances. Unlike many officers of the day, He was very much liked and respected by the youth, at a time that it was not popular to like the police. His death was mourned by the youth of Lewiston. I have been in law enforcement now for 30 years and now instruct, and I often tell his story as an example to other officers.

David Rogers, Training Specialist
Fox Valley TC, Criminal Justice Center for Innovation
November 8, 2005

Thank you for your sacrifice. 10-42...you are a hero to all of us in the LE community

Officer
I.S.U. DPS
November 9, 2003