Montana Department of Corrections - State Prison, Montana
End of Watch Saturday, January 22, 1938
Add to My HeroesFrank L. Russell
Guard Frank Russell was accidentally shot and killed at the Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge.
On the morning of January 22nd, 1938, Guard Russell was proceeding to his duty station while transporting two rifles and a bag carrying ammunition and a .45 caliber Colt revolver. The hammer of the revolver was positioned on a live round, instead of on an empty chamber.
As Guard Russell entered tower number 4 (his duty station) he dropped the bag on the floor. When the bag hit the ground the Colt fired and the bullet struck Guard Russell in the head. He died approximately 15 minutes later.
Guard Russell was survived by his wife, daughter, and son.
Bio
- Age 58
- Tour Not available
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire (Inadvertent)
Most Recent Reflection
View all 7 Reflectionsi started work at MSP in 1972 and we had .38 victory model s&w revolvers, ithica .12 ga. shotguns, and winchester model 94 30-30 rifles. we also had 3 or 4 thompson model 1928 submachine guns in the armory across the street from tower 7.
james burdette
January 25, 2020
Recent LODD Deaths

Deputy Sheriff Caleb Conley
Scott County Sheriff's Office, KY
EOW: May 22, 2023

Sergeant Michael Kunovich
St. Johns County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: May 19, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Brett Harris
Riverside County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: May 13, 2023

Sergeant Joshua Lee Clouse
Cameron Police Department, TX
EOW: May 11, 2023

Port Police Officer Kimberly Sickafoose
Alabama Port Authority Police, AL
EOW: May 11, 2023

Police Officer Aréanah M. Preston
Chicago Police Department, IL
EOW: May 6, 2023

Detective Jacob Beu
Rutherford County Sheriff's Office, TN
EOW: May 7, 2023

Police Officer Robert Shisler
Deptford Township Police Department, NJ
EOW: May 7, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Kaitie Leising
St. Croix County Sheriff's Office, WI
EOW: May 6, 2023