Officer Douglas Scott Russell

Douglas Scott Russell

Officer Douglas Russell was struck and killed while deploying stop sticks to stop a vehicle involved in a pursuit on Highway 50.

The pursuit began after Rancho Cordova police were dispatched to conduct a welfare check on a person in a brown four-door sedan parked on Horn Road. As officers approached the driver sped off, tossing items out of his vehicle. A police pursuit ensued proceeding eastbound Highway 50.

Officer Russell was deploying the spike strips at Highway 50 and Ponderosa Road when the car intentionally swerved and hit him. He was airlifted to the University of California Davis Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries.

After striking Officer Russell the vehicle continued until officers were able to spin the car and stop it on Missouri Flat Road. The driver was taken into custody and transported to Sutter Roseville Medical Center. The suspect was convicted in 2010 and sentenced to death.

Officer Russell had served with the California Highway Patrol for 22 years and was assigned to the Placerville office. He is survived by his wife and mother.