Russel Honoré

Lieutenant General Russel L. Honoré retired from the U.S. Army after 37 years on active duty in a variety of command and staff positions which focused on defense support to civil authorities and homeland defense. He planned the responses to the Shuttle Columbia tragedy and the D.C. sniper shootings. He supported the Defense Department response to numerous hurricanes, not the least of which was Hurricane Katrina that devastated the population of New Orleans in 2005. He commanded Joint Task Force Katrina which dealt with the humanitarian crisis and safety of tens of thousands of people impacted by the disaster. He was also in charge of military responses to eight other hurricanes.

Recognized for his take-charge attitude in the wake of disasters, in retirement he was asked to lead the investigation into the January 6, 2021 Capitol riots. At the request of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, he rendered a report as to corrective actions that need to be implemented to ensure such a tragedy does not happen again.

Honoré is the recipient of numerous military and civilian awards, including six honorary doctorates from schools such as Stillman College and the United States Army War College.