Russ’s story is one of long and dedicated service. Originally from central California, he embarked on a military career in 1976, joining the US Army. Initially posted with the 1/509 ABCT in Italy as an airborne infantryman. 
His next assignment was with the elite 82d Airborne Div at Ft Bragg, NC, where he served as a machine gun and rifle squad leader with the 3/325 AIR. After the operation in Grenada, Russ went to the Special Forces qualification course. He was trained as a “Light Weapons Leader”. Upon graduation from the “Q Course”, he was assigned to the 5th Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg and then Fort Campbell, serving on a Mountain team, Military Free Fall detachment, and a Direct Action/ CQB team. He deployed to the Caribbean, Southwest Asia, and Africa on operations. 

Upon his retirement from the Army, Russ embarked on a second career in law enforcement, serving with the Clarksville Police Department (CPD) for the next two decades, working primarily in the north Clarksville area, where he applied his prior experience and training to his role in community protection.