More than 200 Antelope Valley residents and law enforcement personnel were on hand Tuesday to say farewell to California Highway Patrol Officer Douglas Scott Russell, 46, who was killed in the line of duty July 31.
Mourners gathered at the family plot in the small Antelope Valley Cemetery in Coleville for Russell's burial service.
The service followed a procession from Roseville, Calif., where a memorial service attended by over 2,000 officers and well-wishers was held Monday at Adventure Christian Church.
Tuesday's entourage of more than 20 vehicles, accompanied by 10 motorcycle officers, escorted the family, including Officer Russell's wife Lynn, from Roseville, Calif., up Highway 50, crossing over Luther Pass to Highway 88 and on to Coleville by way of Highway 395 through the Carson Valley. At various points other law enforcement units joined the escort to pay their respects.
Placerville Command office staff member Patty Skinner was among the personnel in the entourage.
"The people along the route were just incredible," she said. "There was one place we passed in Gardnerville with big signs and American flags flying. The signs said things like we love you, you will be missed. It made us all so emotional and I know Lynn saw them too. That had to make her feel so warm. What a wonderful community."
Russell served as resident officer in Coleville for 10 years. During that decade, he met and married Lynn McCourtney, a dispatcher for Mono County and long time resident of the valley.
Lynn had immigrated to the United States from Scotland with her parents, Dan and Nan McCourtney, in 1976. A graduate of Coleville High School, she went to work for Mono County as an emergency dispatcher when she was 18.
Russell was born Sept. 18, 1960 in Castro Valley, Calif., a 1978 graduate of Amador Valley High School in Pleasanton, Calif., and graduated from the CHP Academy in 1985. After tours of duty in Southern California, he was assigned to Bridgeport.
In 1997 the couple lost their Coleville residence during the New Year's flood that devastated homes along the West Walker River.
Russell transferred to the CHP Placerville Command in 2000, and moved to Folsom, Calif. Lynn took a dispatcher's position at the Folsom Police Department and Russell was assigned to patrol between Shingle Springs and the Sacramento County line.
"We are a small office with only 30 officers working out of this command," Public Information Officer Sean Richie said. "We are a very closely knit family. Scotty will be greatly missed and we have all been staying very close to Lynn during this time. She is incredibly strong. I am afraid I am not holding up nearly as well as she is."
In January, of this year, Lynn was diagnosed with breast cancer and has been undergoing aggressive chemotherapy treatments.
Russell was remembered as a rock for her while she was undergoing treatment, even shaving his head to match hers.
The CHP has issued a warning about a phone scam requesting donations for a fundraiser for the family of Officer Douglas Scott Russell. CHP Commissioner, Mike Brown, said callers also have been claiming to be raising money for CHP anti-drunken driving programs and for retirees and widows. Brown said the CHP does not solicit public funds by phone, mail, Internet or in person. The CHP has announced the creation of a trust fund for Officer Russell. Persons wishing to make memorial donations to the fund may do so by contacting the following: CHP Officer Scott Russell Fund, c/o Folsom Lake Bank, 905 Sutter St. No. 100, Folsom, CA 95630.
