Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Sgt. Russell,
On today, the 20th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Pima County. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy. There is no tougher job in Law Enforcement then that of a Corrections Officer.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

December 5, 2022

Sir, I remember you fondly. Your knowledge and sense of humor is what is needed in that environment. I still tell the story about how you sent me into the kitchen and had my first interaction with Jeanette (I got yelled at....a lot). I remember how hard you were laughing and the smile on your face. You patted me on the back told me welcome aboard. I still tell this story even in my civilian life. Your lessons have helped to carry me through my life. Gone but not forgotten. Watch the 6 of those that remain at Pima county. Love and miss you.

Michael Jaeger
Former Corrections Sergeant Pima County Sheriff’s Department

Michael Jaeger
Pima County Sheriff’s Dept

January 20, 2021

Rest in peace Corrections Sergeant Russell.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 27, 2019

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

December 4, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 9th 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 murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, PPD, eow 4/24/05

December 5, 2011

Still missed, my man. I'm sending you a shout out from Judicial Security. See you one day. Watch over us still on the job from up above.

PSSS Casey P. Jennings
PCSD Judicial Security Unit-Tucson, AZ

December 5, 2011

Shannon, I miss you both as a co-worker and as my friend. We shared some great moments together.

Sgt. John Rooney
PCSD

December 5, 2011

Wow, it seems like just yesterday I got that call about your loss. Your sense of humor and ability to ground me as a commander is missed every day. Thank you for teaching me to enjoy the little things in life and and teaching so many officers how to do the job with respect and dignity, especially for our tactical officers. Shannon, we miss you.

Mark Boyce (Lt retired)
PCSD

December 5, 2011

Shannon,

You were my "go to" guy when I needed an important task completed and needed it done right; whether it be training a recruit, dealing with a combative, giving me your input on an issue or carrying out a “Code Green.”

I could also depend on you to give me physical fitness advise, recommend a good scotch, or make me laugh with a good “Sea Story,” (I liked your story about Australia the best).

Fair Winds and Following Seas my friend. It has been nine years since you left us. You are still missed.

Steven Montano, Corrections Sergeant RET
Pima County Sheriff's Department

December 4, 2011

I had the pleasure of working with you from 1999 till your EOW 2002! In your last couple of months with us I had the pleasure of attending two trainings with you. We got to know eachother pretty well and shared a lot of laughs. We talked about fitness and diet most of the time, and some how you made it a humorous topic. I remember you saying "Don't eat the way I eat, you don't wanna be like me". Truth is, a lot of people did wanna be like you. I wanted to be like you... Funny, stronge, and a guy that everyone loved to be around.

I think about you often and share my stories about you and your legacy with fellow officers. You were a very modest person and wouldn't think of yourself as someone "Special" but truth is you were and still are to this day!

I was in Washington DC for work and made a special trip to trace your name on the LEO Memorial wall! It was an honor. Your name is always with me now as it's displayed in my office!

God Bless you and know that you are not forgotten...

Ofc. Julian Garcia
Tohono O'odham Police Dept.

November 14, 2011

Shannon: I was a relative newbie (Class 2-III, 2001) working in 2 Bravo pod one evening when I made a rookie goof and did the thing that CO's dread: I locked myslef in a cell! Needless to say, I thought about how embarrassed I was going to be when I finally mustered up the courage to own up and call for help. I saw Officer Shannon Russell in the sallyport and thought: Oh, hell, now I'm gonna get it!

But to my surprise, Shannon walked up to the cell, looked at me seriously, and then said: "Just about all of us have done this, but the thing to remember is what did you learn fom it?" Then he gave me that lopsided grin he had and let me out of the cell. Great instructor, better person!

Coming off shift, I would say have a good night, and his standard retort was "What's that supposed to mean?", delivered with his grin. Rest in peace, more people loved you than you knew.

Clarence Ragland
Former Corrections Officer Pima County Sheriff's Dept

March 24, 2009

Shannon,

It is just still incomprehensible that it has been six years since that tragic day that we lost you. I think about you often and I relive that day in my mind repeatedly. I pray that your memory continues to positively impact the many lives you touched in the short time you were with us on this earth. I do miss you my friend. You are gone, but definitely not forgotten. You lived a good life and I pray you received a just reward.

Corrections Lt. Dan Brown, retired
Pima Co. Sheriff's Dept.

December 5, 2008

My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this sixth anniversary of your EOW. Continue to keep watch over them and those still out on patrol watching over the Thin Blue Line. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

December 5, 2008

My son has just ben warded the Shannon D Russell memorial award. Please watch over him as he follows in your footsteps.G-d Bless.

June 7, 2008

Rest in Peace, Sergeant Russell. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

May 17, 2008

Sgt. Russell, thank you for your service and dedication. You will not be forgotten. Rest in peace.

Michelle - wife of Retired LEO

March 17, 2008

On this 5th anniversary of your EOW, we are thinking about your Family, Friends and Brother in Blue. You impacted so many as witnessed in the reflections. Please watch over your family during these rough Holidays. You are a Hero and will not be forgotten.

Craig Figgins
Brother - SGT Dan Figgins St Charles, IL EOW 4/9/05

December 5, 2007

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

December 4, 2007

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

December 4, 2007

"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

November 18, 2007

Shannon,

Like countless others you have left a lasting impression on me.

It has been several years since your passing and I know that you are with our maker and that time is not an issue, so I just wanted to say that you have been a great influence to me and every recruit that has graduated from this academy for the last 5 years.

During the class that I have taught for the last 5 years I’ve read the letter written by an “Anonymous former prisoner.” I read this letter on the last day that I teach, during the final minutes of my class. I give each recruit a copy to keep so that they will carry your spirit with them into that jail every day.

To this day I get choked up as I read the letter to the class. As I get to the 6th paragraph of the letter it’s though your strong hand rest upon my shoulder and gives me the strength to finish it.

At the end of the letter the former prisoner states “I’m not a religious man and I don’t know Officer Russell’s persuasion, but I know for certain that he carried the light of Christ into that jailhouse every day. His spirit always seemed to resonate the light of human compassion.”

Like I said, you have left a lasting impression on me and countless others.

Gabh le Dia (Go With God)

RICO--

Training Officer Rico Valencia
Pima County Sheriff

August 9, 2007

When I went through the academy, we spent a day in 1K doing scenarios just before graduation. One of the final scenarios was a hostage scenario. I remember watching and wondering if it would ever happen. You said that there was a point where you had to realize that fighting would only end badly and that tactics had to change if you found yourself a hostage. Only six months later, I was taken hostage and throughout the entire situation, I thought back to the things that you had said to us on that training day. I got through that incident and realized that the training you provided is what carried me through that incident.

You passed away only two or three weeks after my graduation from the corrections academy, and I may have been the last class you taught that valuable lesson to. I thank God for giving me the opportunity to meet you and to learn from you. You were the single instructor in the academy who made me think, "I want to be like him when I get into the jail." God bless.

Officer Dave Keys
Phoenix Police Department

August 2, 2007

Shannon,
If a person is to be judged by the impact they had on other peoples lives; you were exceedingly successful. You were and are the standard by which other officers will be forever measured. Thank you for the impact that you had on my life.

Chad Binnion

Sergeant Chad Binnion
Pima County Sheriffs Department

June 15, 2007

Shannon,

It has been so long since you left us, but your memory lives on. I still remember the impersonations you would do to help lighten the mood when things got tense, I remember your love of life, and the way you took others under your wing to help them learn the job. You were my friend and your passing still has a profound affect on my life. I will never forget you.

Corrections Lt. Dan Brown
Pima County Sheriff's Dept. (retired)

May 21, 2007

My thoughts are with your loved ones on this 4th anniversary of your end of watch. You have not been forgotten nor will that ever happen. You are a true hero and heroes never die. Keep watch over your loved ones and those still out on patrol.

Bob Gordon
Father of Fallen Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

December 5, 2006