Constable William A. Russell, Jr., Madison Police Department, Alabama

Constable William A. Russell, Jr.

Madison Police Department, Alabama

End of Watch Sunday, November 22, 1903

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William A. Russell, Jr.

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.

Bio

Age 65
Tour Not available
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Assault
Weapon Edged weapon; Axe
Offender Died in prison

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Constable Russell,

The Madison Police Department was able to have your name placed on the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, DC in 2020. We were not able to attend due to the COVID-19 cancellation of the event but we watched online to pay our respects. Sorry it took so long to have you recognized but we now have a place where we can go to pay our respects. We have the watch now sir. Matthew 5:9

Chief Dave Jernigan (retired)
Madison Police Department

April 14, 2023