Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I have relived that night many nights and every June, I choke up wishing I could have been at that alley seconds sooner.
53 years and I still hear those shots ring out.
To all the friends and family sorry I could not have been a little quicker.

Former officer
NPCSO, Lapwai PD

June 22, 2023

Rest in peace Patrolman Russell.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 24, 2022

Rest In Peace Brother in Blue. Thank you Hero and your family for your courage and sacrifice. Always remembered.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret.)
Upland Police Dept. CA

June 15, 2020

My dad and uncles grow up with the Russell family from Pullman and heard great story's about the brothers. All are loved. We still visit his site when I visit my grandparents just up the hill.
Love you all.
Steve

Steven skeen
Family friend

January 5, 2020

I was 15 when Officer Russell ended his shift. He would come by our house and visit my older brother on several occasions( always had something to do with the shenanigans he was up to the night before ) . To this day I still see Ralph pull up in his cruiser and walk up to the house in his uniform. I respected Ralph and looked up to him. I still remember my feelings when Ralph lost his life, so sad how it happened, sad for his wife and young daughter, family , friends and fellow officers.
Ralph, I'll never forget you.

Jeff Cunnington
Respecter of Officers

June 23, 2017

Flower and flag from my dad last saterday. He still misses you.

Steven skeen

October 18, 2016

Officer Russell, you were well respected by the teenagers around town. I knew you from back in the day, 1967/68.
Always saw you down around Casey's dance hall.
You were a good man Ralph. I've never forgotten you.
Rest in Peace sir.

Terry Vaughan, civilian
Friend

December 30, 2015

To My Very dear friend, Ralph Russell.

I will never forget you , my good buddy.

Ralph was my firearms instructor at the police academy, as well as a personal good friend. WE loved to GOLF in our spare time.

Always and Forever, Amen

C.D. "Doug" Smith, Deputy Sheriff #201
Asotin County Sheriff's Ofc. (1969 to 1975)

September 13, 2015

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
GOD Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

June 15, 2015

It is very sureal that today, I am teaching the man who killed this Officer to lead a better, more meaningful way of life in prison as he will never get out. It is also very humbling that I am a member of the States Honor Guard Team this this coming Thursday (5/14/15) I will lay a rose in memory of this fallen officer.

Craig Leigh IDOC Honor Guard
IDOC

May 12, 2015

Officer Russell was my neighbor when I was young. I remember seeing him running along the street beside his daughter, holding up her bicycle as she learned to ride. when a little older i remember him outside. the local youth dance hall talking to the kids. Even when he was off-duty he tried to show us he really cared. He always had time for us. His premature passing was a great loss to us all. He was truly a great man.

Al Jordan
Neighbor

May 28, 2013

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 42nd anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

June 15, 2012

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