Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Well Russ, another Oct. 9th has come up. It's hard to believe 35 years have gone by since that terrible date in 1990. I still think about you everyday and all the good times we had together. I always looked forward to you coming home every year, and when I would visit you and Sue. I come to this site every night, and you still get reflections after all these years. Shows me how much you're loved and missed!! I miss and love you Russ!! R.I.P.

Harry G. Kuster
Brother

October 9, 2025

I am a member of the public.
In 1972, when I was 17 years old, my Fender Telecaster guitar was stolen in Hollywood.
Detective Kuster came to my house in the San Fernando Valley and took the report. I will never forget how courteous he was to me, a very upset teenager.
I'm very sorry he passed and wanted to let his family know that I still remember him 50 years later.

Monique Bryher
was a reserve in computer forensics, several agencies

August 11, 2025

Happy Heavenly "85th" Birthday Russ!! Miss you every day!!R.I.P.

Harry G. Kuster
Brother

June 24, 2025

Russ I have read Harry's happy birthdays to you over the years which remind me and Karen of how much how much of an impact you had on all of some many years after you were called were called to heaven. We miss you,

Detective Ernie Basset
LAPD Homicide, friend and partner

October 10, 2024

Happy Heavenly "84" Birthday Russ!!! Miss you every day!!!R.I.P.

Harry G. Kuster
Brother

June 24, 2024

Russ Karen and I are remembering you today. We had such good times with you and Sue. You would be amazed how many of your friends and partners still talk about you we had good times working cases and enjoying a few cocktails. It is hard to believe it has been 33 years that you have been gone.

Detective Ernie Basset Retired
LAPD Hollywood Homicide

October 9, 2023

I worked a case with Russ in the early 1970s. I was a detective in the Burglary/Robbery Division with the St. Louis P.D. at the time and Russ was not in Homicide as yet. I think he was a detective in the Crime Against Property Unit out of the Hollywood Division. My partner and I arrested a couple of perps who had committed several burglaries and auto thefts in L.A. and in Las Vagas. We recovered some of the stolen items from the L.A. case and a car stolen in Las Vagas. Russ and his partner came to St. Louis to pick up the prisoners and transport them back to L.A. Of course, the four of us partied while waiting for the extradition paperwork to be completed. Later my partner and I flew to L.A. to testify in the case. Russ and his partner took us out on the town and we celebrated the successful convictions. Later the next year my wife and I were traveling through L.A. and we stopped and enjoyed an evening with Russ. Russ was a great detective and a wonderful man. I never have forgotten him! RIP buddy!

Chief Neil F. Kurlander (Ret.)
St. Louis Metro. P.D. and the Maryland Heights, MO P.D.

February 2, 2023

Rest in peace Detective Kuster.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 5, 2022

Happy Heavenly "82nd" Birthday Russ !!! Miss you every day!!! R.I.P.

Harry Kuster
Brother

June 24, 2022

Russ was my partner for many years, then became my D3 Supervisor at Hwd Detectives Homicide Unit. Below is a memorial I wrote for him, which was read at his funeral. (I had been retired for four years from LAPD at the time of his murder.)

Los Angeles Police Department
Hollywood Detectives
October 10, 1990

Dear Friends:

It was with great shock and sadness that I received the news of Russ’s death this morning. As most of you know Russell Lee was a very large part of my life (both professional and personal) during my 14 years at Hollywood Homicide. As my partner and then my supervisor he, more than any other individual, influenced my career. And what a privilege influenced that was for me! Russ possessed a rare and wonderful blend of skill, professionalism and dedication. He was always there when the need arose. For friend and victim alike he was there to help. His strong firm Midwest beliefs fortified his faith in Justice and impassioned his drive and insistence that all Hollywood murders be solved

How many times do we all remember his year end admonition that, “85 % clearance rate is not good enough.” How many times do we all remember during “slow” months, Russ’s insistence on pulling out the unsolved books and finding the answers he knew were there and had been overlooked by us due to busier times?

Russell Lee Kuster was one of a kind. Like his heroes, John Wayne and General George Patton. Russ was an individual who never wavered in his personal beliefs. You always knew where he stood. This was true if you were a probationer at your first crime scene, or if you were a deputy chief at your 500th.

My heart goes out to all of you at Hollywood Detectives in these hours of grief. Cherish, as I do the fun and tragic times you had with this man. Cherish and remember the spirit of dedication he proudly exemplified. And finally, smile in remembrance that Russ in his final moments made sure that Los Angeles would not be burdened with another “whodunit” as he sent the “Son-Of-A-b!t$h” to h*!!.

Love in Brotherhood
Steve Hodel LAPD Retired

Take care "Roy"

Det.3 Steve Hodel #11394
LAPD Hollywood Homicide (ret.)

October 23, 2021

You are were a true warrior. Thank you for your bravery and service. Rest in peace.

Jerry
Citizen

October 9, 2021

Happy Heavenly" 81st" Birthday Russ!! I miss and think about you everyday. R.I.P.

Harry G. Kuster
Brother

June 24, 2021

Well Russ this is Christmastime 2020 as I often have done over all these years I think about you and Sue. I wish you could know that so many people remember you; you made a deep impression on us. You will be in our lives until the end. All your partners and friends will be together at a great roll call and we will trade stories again.

Detective Ernie Basset (retired)
friend
December 2020

Detective Ernie Basset
LAPD friend and partner

December 23, 2020

Russ... Here it is 2020 and you have been gone for almost 30 years. Where did the time go my friend. You will always be remembered and respected by those that know you and you will be honored by those who came after you and were inspired by your heroic sacrifice. Your actions are going to be presented in a book that honors Los Angeles County Police Officers Killed In The Line Of Duty. On October 9th, 2020, those of us who are able will meet at Hollywood Station and honor your memory with a memorial service. There are now 8 Hollywood Officers that served their fellow man and paid the ultimate price for that privilege. I know all 8 are in Heaven talking and remembering "The Good Old Days" with you. I have kept in touch with your nieces and they still mourn your passing as I do.
Your Memory Will Be Eternal Semper Fidelis Roy

Retired Homicide Detective John Miller
LAPD and Friend

March 6, 2020

Well, another year has gone by!! It's hard to believe its been" 29" years since that horrible day on Oct. 9, 1990. You would really be an" OLD-DAD" now (79)!! If I'm able next year, I think I'll try and come out to LA for the Police memorial they have every year in May. No. 30 for you. I still Miss and think about you everyday. You were the "BEST"!!!

HARRY KUSTER
Brother

October 9, 2019

There is not a day that goes by that I don’t think about you and Aunt Sue. You two were dynamic in so many ways. I’m sorry you were not given the opportunity to be at all of the fun family gatherings we have had. We miss you very much and pray that your rewards in heaven are great. I love you Uncle Russ.

Lesley Hansen
Niece

October 10, 2018

I just drove past the street sign placed in your honor. I had to read up on what actually occurred. My heart breaks even though it was 27 years ago. I never had a chance to meet you but I still consider you family. Rest In Peace my brother ... Thank you for your Service

Homicide Detective (Ret)
San Diego Sheriff’s Department

December 29, 2017

I just drove past the street sign placed in your honor. I had to read up on what actually occurred. My heart breaks even though it was 27 years ago. I never had a chance to meet you but I still consider you family. Rest In Peace my brother ... Thank you for your Service

Homicide Detective (Ret)
San Diego Sheriff’s Department

December 29, 2017

Rest In Peace Brother. We honor you on the 27th anniversary of your E.O.W. You are not forgotten.

Officer Mike Robinson, (Ret)
City of Upland, CA

October 9, 2017

Hey Russ it is October 2017; It is hard to believe you have been gone so long. However your memory is not. Karen and I often recall the wonderful times we had with you. Some of us have passed and the rest of us are getting old. I have yet to meet another like you; and know I will not.

Detective Ernie Basset
LAPD

October 3, 2017

God I miss you, I found some old pictures of you about a month ago and it seems like just yesterday that you came by to visit. It's unbelievable to me that you've been gone this long. I was just reading some of the reflections that people have left for you and the amount of Love and Respect in each one of them was just incredible and I don't know of any one that deserves it more. You were very Loved and are Truly Truly Missed. RIP my Love. Your Friend

Margaret Collier
Very special Friend

June 20, 2017

I will always remember hearing about Russ' s death on a warm October eve.He loved his family,friends and profession.He was a true American Hero! He was greatly loved and truly missed! He's guarding the streets of Heaven as only The finest Marines and Policemen do!Till we meet in Heaven,Rest in Peace!

Diana Knox Proctor
Cousin

October 15, 2016

Hey Roy Thinking about you and decided to let you know much you are still missed and cared about

Detective Retired
LAPD

September 15, 2016

How Time Flies By. Today Aug. I, 2016 is 50 yrs. since you joined the LAPD, and I went in the Army on the same Day. You were 26 yrs. old and I was 19. I still think about the good times we had growing up and when I would come visit you in LA. I miss and think about you everyday. Your Brother Harry.

Harry G. Kuster
Brother

August 1, 2016

Time has passed for this post... However, this was one of the most challenging times for me in my police career....I was with Kuster at a bar in Hollywood watching a Reds baseball game with him and Rozzi...before he went to the Bar on Barham...by the time I arrived home Kuster was killed...he had agreed to call me out on the next Homocide, as a boot Detective Trainee... I don't talk much about this incident...however it is, and will always be a sorrowful moment and reflection on my 27 year career. God Bless to all

Retired Captain
LAPD

January 26, 2016