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| Officer who shot escapee was veteran |
| By omaha.com |
| Published: 03/19/2009 |
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BY AARON SANDERFORD WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER Lincoln police recognized the escapee's car, a dirt-caked red Mitsubishi Eclipse with Wyoming plates. Inside was 45-year-old Earl C. Russell, who at age 19 assaulted an 87-year-old Omaha woman so severely that she lost her left eye. The Lincoln officer radioed for help shortly before 2 p.m. Wednesday. Minutes later, the inmate was shot dead by another police officer who came to the scene in response to the call for help. Lincoln authorities today identified the officer who shot and killed Russell as John Brandl, a veteran officer with nearly 15 years experience. He was one of four officers on the scene at the time of the fatal shooting. Police say Russell wielded an 8- to 10-inch hunting knife and lunged at Brandl. Witnesses included officers, several members of Lincoln Fire and Rescue and a tow-truck driver, Police Chief Tom Casady said. Russell, whose escape was reported at 11:35 a.m. Wednesday, had been on work release from the Community Corrections Center in Lincoln, according to the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services. Authorities said he was allowed access to the car. Russell, serving a 22- to 71-year sentence, tried to flee when officers approached. Casady said Russell was in Oak Lake Park, near Haymarket Park, where the University of Nebraska plays baseball. Russell revved the engine and sped out of the park and onto Charleston Street, losing control and crashing into a steep ditch. According to police, the shooting unfolded this way: Russell ran from the car toward the city impound lot, where a driver sat parked in a large truck used to tow semitrailer trucks. The driver watched as Russell dodged two officers around the wrecker. One officer with a Taser couldn't get a clean shot. The inmate lunged with a knife toward Brandl, who shot Russell dead. Brandl was the only officer who fired his weapon, said police spokeswoman Katie Flood. Russell was reported missing after he failed to show up for the morning head count. His next parole hearing had been set for February 2010. Russell went to prison in 1984 for assaulting and robbing an elderly Omaha woman in her home at 36th and Bedford Avenues. Read more. If link has expired, check the website of the article's original news source. |
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