Louisville Police Department, Kentucky
End of Watch Wednesday, January 15, 1862
Add to My HeroesBenjamin S. Rust
Police Officer Ben Rust was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a wanted man on Newburg Road.
He and two other officers went to the home of a suspect that was wanted for stealing several mules. After arriving, Officer Rust and a second officer went to the back of the home, while the other officer went to the front.
Officer Rust and the second officer entered the house and were met by a female who told them that no one else was home. Officer Rust searched the second floor of the house and found it to be empty. He then began searching the first floor with the other officer. They found a room door locked and forced it open. The suspect, who was hiding in the room, pushed the door shut, but Officer Rust was able to force it open again.
As he began to enter the room, the suspect opened fire, striking Officer Rust in the chest. The shot knocked Patrolman Rust back into the second officer. The suspect fired again, this time hitting Officer Rust in the head, killing him. The suspect continued to fire, wounding the second Officer.
Upon hearing the shots, the third officer, who was stationed outside, ran into the house. He shot and wounded the suspect, then struck him in the face with a club, knocking him unconscious and breaking his jaw.
The suspect was taken into custody and charged with murder.
Officer Rust had served with the Louisville Police Department for 22 years. He was survived by his mother and two sisters.
Bio
- Age 40
- Tour 22 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Handgun
- Offender Charged with murder
Most Recent Reflection
View all 10 ReflectionsRIP, Officer Ben S. Rust will never be forgotten.
First Sergeant Thomas Webb
New York State Police
December 26, 2018
Recent LODD Deaths

Officer Byron Don Shields
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Office of Field Operations, US
EOW: January 20, 2021

Police Officer Martez "Tez" Hughes
Louisville Metro Police Department, KY
EOW: November 19, 2020

Detective Sergeant Stephen R. Desfosses
Norton Police Department, MA
EOW: January 13, 2021

Lieutenant Treva Preston
Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Correctional Institutions Division, TX
EOW: January 15, 2021

Police Officer Jerry Steven Hemphill
Lanier Technical College Police Department, GA
EOW: January 16, 2021

Sergeant J. L. "Buck" Dancy
North Little Rock Police Department, AR
EOW: December 2, 2020

Lieutenant Jeff Bain
DeKalb County Sheriff's Office, AL
EOW: January 3, 2021

Correctional Officer David A. Christensen
Washington State Department of Corrections, WA
EOW: December 29, 2020

Lieutenant John Reynolds
Garden Grove Police Department, CA
EOW: January 17, 2021