Veteran Tenn. Police Officer Dies after Sudden Heart Attack

A veteran Tennessee police officer died early last month after suffering a sudden heart attack following a workload of three consecutive 16-hour shifts.

Chattanooga Sgt. James "Mike" Russ had been with the department for 16 years, the agency stated in a social media post. He also had served two decades in the Navy, retiring as a Petty Officer First Class.

According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, Russ had been working three 16-hour shifts when he suffered a fatal heart attack Dec. 2. He was part of the department's coverage of Blue Cross Bowl at Finley Stadium, and Russ continued his normal duties as a court liaison while providing support for the events leading up to the bowl game.

While Russ worked over this three-day span, colleagues were concerned with his health. Russ was experiencing shortness of breath and other symptoms before going home at around 10 p.m. Dec. 2 to finish paperwork.

Once at home, Russ collapsed from a heart attack. Attempts were made to revive the sergeant, but he could not be resuscitated.

"Please keep his wife, family, and our department in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time," the department stated.

Russ was a supervisor in the department's Court Liaison Office and also had served as a Neighborhood Policing (patrol) supervisor, traffic investigator and Neighborhood Policing officer. He was a member of the Hostage Negotiation Team, Crisis Intervention Team, Incident Management Team, Critical Incident Stress Debriefing Team and Peer Support.