Family, friends of fallen officer march to Blair Co. Courthouse, raise awareness

BLAIR COUNTY, Pa. (WJAC) — The family and friends of fallen Blair County Corrections Officer Rhonda Russell marched in Hollidaysburg Tuesday as they called for answers and accountability surrounding her death.

The demonstration comes nearly three months after authorities said Blair County Corrections Officer Rhonda Russell was killed by friendly fire in the line of duty after an inmate had disarmed her, according to charging documents.

Authorities said that inmate, Christopher Aikens, faces charges related to the murder of a law enforcement officer.

The shooting occurred at the Central Court Building Nov. 17 where authorities said Russell had been left alone with several inmates, including Aikens.

They say Russell had taken off one of Aikens’ handcuffs so he could go to the bathroom and the man took her hostage.

A responding officer tried to shoot Aikens but hit Russell instead, investigators said.

Nearly three months later, Russell’s sons were among those calling for more accountability Tuesday in Hollidaysburg.

One of Russell’s sons, Justin Reader, said his mother was failed by the administration at the Blair County Courthouse.

“We want the public and community to realize that our mother and friend and daughter, didn’t get a fair shake at what happened to her that day,” Reader said. “She was not informedshe didn’t know what she was getting into and she lost her life due to the administration at the Blair County Courthouse. The whole justice system failed her that day.”

In the months following the deadly shooting, security protocols at Blair County courts have come under fire.

Blair County District Attorney Pete Weeks told 6 News last month that he was frustrated with the lack of security protocols Magisterial District Judge buildings throughout the county.

He said security is especially needed at the busy Central Court building, where Russell died.

In response, President Judge Elizabeth Doyle released a statement in January saying, “I want to reassure the public that there is security in and around the Magisterial District Judge facilities, and together with the County Commissioners we are moving, and will continue to move, to meet any additional need.”

Doyle added that court officials have been holding meetings to address security concerns and the matter will remain a topic for Blair County Security Committee meetings.

For Russell’s family, they say the process of increasing security hasn’t been moving fast enough.

“We want the public to know what happened that day,” Reader said. “That way, changes can be made, you know, changes need to be made in the places that failed her that day, so we want to, not only get justice for our mother Rhonda, but we also want to make sure that this doesn’t happen to someone else’s family.”

One of Russell’s other sons, Richard, says his family is continuing to call for authorities to release the identity of the officer who fired the fatal shot.

They say they'd like to see that person face criminal charges.

“We just want answers,” he told 6 News. “That’s all.”

In response, Weeks told 6 News Tuesday, “I can’t comment on that investigation at all because it is still active and we have not received all the results of that investigation. I will say that the district attorney’s office is also committed to doing what we can do to make the prison and the criminal justice system in general safer for corrections officers and all of the participants.”

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