Death by Cop  2021-2025

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Devin Scheurn

Age :

Gender :Male

Race : White

Date : 10/27/2025

Location : Crockett Street

City : Belgrade

County : Gallatin

State : Montana

Agency : Belgrade Police Department, Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office

Officer(s) : Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police during armed confrontation

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 10/27/2025, around 5:18 p.m., Belgrade Police officers responded to a disturbance report on Crockett Street in Belgrade, Montana. As one officer sat in his patrol vehicle, a man opened fire on him, striking the officer multiple times. Additional officers arrived and returned fire, killing the gunman. The wounded officer was transported to a hospital and is in stable condition. The Montana Division of Criminal Investigation is leading the investigation.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.kbzk.com/news/crime-courts/police-chief-provides-update-following-officer-involved-shooting-in-belgrade
https://www.ktvq.com/news/crime-watch/suspect-dead-belgrade-police-officer-hospitalized-after-monday-shooting
https://nbcmontana.com/news/local/police-officer-injured-suspect-dead-following-shooting-in-belgrade
https://www.krtv.com/news/montana-and-regional-news/shots-fired-in-belgrade-officer-injured-suspect-dead

Justin Cody Paul

Age :51

Gender :Male

Race : White

Date : 08/30/2025

Location : 60 Gibson Flats Road

City : Great Falls

County : Cascade

State : Montana

Agency : Cascade County Sheriff’s Office; Great Falls Police Department

Officer(s) : Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Suicide

Event : Suicide under police duress

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 08/30/2025, at approximately 2:43 a.m., the Cascade County Sheriff’s Office and Great Falls Police Department responded to reports of an armed home invasion at 60 Gibson Flats Road in Great Falls. The residents had fled the home, but Justin Cody Paul remained inside. Commands to surrender were given but not followed. Multiple gunshots were heard from within the residence. When law enforcement entered, the man was found dead inside. The Montana Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation and the Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office are conducting an independent investigation.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://theelectricgf.com/2025/08/30/ccso-gfpd-respond-to-armed-home-invasion-suspect-found-dead-inside/
https://www.montanarightnow.com/great-falls/suspect-dies-during-home-invasion-response-in-great-falls/article_56a42cb1-2509-4361-b849-61cab8028f4c.html

Duncan Brass

Age :39

Gender :Male

Race : White

Date : 07/19/2025

Location : Locust Street and Garfield Street

City : Butte

County : Butte-Silver Bow

State : Montana

Agency : Butte-Silver Bow Law Enforcement, Montana Highway Patrol

Officer(s) : Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Suicide

Event : Suicide under police duress

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On July 19, 2025, a pedestrian was fatally struck in a hit-and-run collision at the intersection of Locust Street and Garfield Street in Butte, Montana. The victim died at the scene, and initial investigation focused on identifying the driver responsible. Later the same day, law enforcement located a vehicle believed to be involved in the hit-and-run and detained a person of interest connected to the case.
While the individual remained at the scene for questioning and investigation, he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound without any pursuit or physical confrontation with officers. The Montana Highway Patrol and Butte-Silver Bow Law Enforcement are conducting a joint investigation.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.krtv.com/news/crime-and-courts/suspect-in-deadly-hit-and-run-in-butte-dies-by-suicide
https://nbcmontana.com/news/local/victim-in-butte-hit-and-run-identified
https://www.yahoo.com/news/suspect-deadly-hit-run-butte-232143655.html

Jody Dean  Eisenbarth

Age :53

Gender :Male

Race : White

Date : 07/06/2025

Location : Highway 3 near mile marker 12

City : Billings

County : Yellowstone

State : Montana

Agency : Montana Highway Patrol

Officer(s) : Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Vehicle

Event : Driver killed by police chase crash

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 07/06/2025, a Montana Highway Patrol trooper attempted to stop a vehicle for speeding on Highway 3 north of Billings. The driver refused to stop, and officers escalated a pursuit. Near mile marker 12, the driver’s vehicle collided head-on with a semi-truck. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The trooper avoided the semi but rolled his patrol vehicle and was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. The semi-truck driver was also hospitalized. The crash started a grass fire that burned about 110 acres. The Montana Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation is leading the investigation.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://nbcmontana.com/news/local/police-pursuit-leaves-1-dead-2-hospitalized-north-of-billings
https://www.kulr8.com/news/pursuit-on-highway-3-near-billings-ends-in-fatal-crash-trooper-injured/article_c7d7ca69-1985-4ac8-8157-f2e8c66f476f.html
https://www.ktvq.com/news/local-news/trooper-injured-in-high-speed-pursuit-north-of-billings-crash-sparks-grass-fire

Joseph Brewer

Age :39

Gender :Male

Race : White

Date : 07/06/2025

Location : Anchor Park

City : Helena

County : Lewis and Clark

State : Montana

Agency : Helena Police Department

Officer(s) : Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Suicide

Event : Suicide under police duress

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

Joseph Brewer, 39, was encountered by Helena Police officers at Anchor Park on 07/06/2025 during a routine patrol. Officers discovered Brewer had outstanding warrants and informed him. During this interaction, Brewer produced a firearm and fatally shot himself. Officers did not fire their weapons. Body camera footage reportedly confirms the sequence of events. Brewer died despite emergency medical response.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.ktvh.com/news/helena-news/helena-police-say-man-dies-of-self-inflicted-gunshot-wound-while-speaking-to-officers-in-park
https://www.krtv.com/news/montana-and-regional-news/police-man-died-of-self-inflicted-gunshot-wound-at-helena-park

Breighton Miller

Age :27

Gender :Male

Race : White

Date : 04/03/2025

Location : West Second Avenue

City : Big Timber

County : Sweet Grass

State : Montana

Agency : Montana Highway Patrol

Officer(s) : Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police during vehicle pursuit

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

At approximately 2:48 p.m. on April 3, 2025, a Montana Highway Patrol trooper located a vehicle tied to a man wanted on a no-bond warrant from Nebraska for threatening to use explosives. When the trooper attempted a traffic stop near Big Timber, the driver fled. Police escalated a chase. A PIT maneuver was attempted but failed. The man fired at troopers, and troopers opened fire. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. He was reportedly suicidal, armed, and considered dangerous. The Montana Department of Criminal Investigation is leading the investigation.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.kbzk.com/news/montana-news/law-enforcement-shoots-and-kills-suspect-in-big-timber
https://www.kulr8.com/news/officer-involved-shooting-in-big-timber-leaves-suspect-with-explosives-warrant-dead/article_bbb92d18-b59d-490f-a7b3-4524c94d64bf.html
https://www.ktvq.com/news/local-news/law-enforcement-shoots-and-kills-suspect-in-big-timber

Name Not Disclosed

Age :

Gender :Male

Race : Unknown

Date : 12/03/2024

Location : 400 block of South 20th Avenue

City : Bozeman

County : Gallatin

State : Montana

Agency : Bozeman Police Department (BPD), Gallatin County Sheriff's Office, Special Response Team (SRT), Billings Police Department, Lewis & Clark County Sheriff's Office, Gallatin Mobile Crisis, Division of Criminal Investigation

Officer(s) :

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Suicide under police duress

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On December 3, 2024, at approximately 6:45 p.m., Bozeman Police Department (BPD) officers responded to a trespassing complaint at a local business, where a man was reportedly attempting to start a fight and had previously assaulted an employee. Upon arrival, officers were unable to locate the man but confirmed his identity via surveillance footage. Recognizing him from prior interactions, officers proceeded to his residence in the 400 block of South 20th Avenue.
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At around 7:00 p.m., officers arrived at the residence and attempted to make contact. Despite efforts, including communication through an upstairs window, he did not respond. Officers then breached the door and observed him holding a firearm. Police retreated and requested assistance from local agencies and the joint Bozeman Police and Gallatin County Sheriff's Office Special Response Team (SRT). Streets were closed, and neighboring homes were evacuated to ensure public safety.
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Over the next 27 hours, crisis negotiators from Bozeman, Billings, Lewis & Clark County, and Gallatin Mobile Crisis engaged in communication attempts with the man. On the evening of December 4, communication ceased. Officers entered the residence and found the man deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. No shots were fired by officers during the standoff, and there were no reported injuries to emergency personnel or civilians.
.
The Division of Criminal Investigation is conducting an independent investigation, and the Park County Coroner’s Office will release the deceased's identity.
________________________________________
TOTAL FATALITIES/INJURIES DURING THIS POLICE ENCOUNTER: 1 fatality
.
Last Update: 12/06/2024

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.kbzk.com/news/local-news/tenant-of-building-involved-in-27-hour-bozeman-standoff-describes-experience
https://www.kbzk.com/news/crime-courts/bozeman-standoff-ended-after-suspect-died-by-suicide-police-say

Laurence John Conklin

Age :

Gender :Male

Race : White

Date : 11/20/2024

Location : North of Stevensville

City : Stevensville

County : Ravalli

State : Montana

Agency : Ravalli County Sheriff's Office

Officer(s) : Unknown

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police during domestic violence call

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On November 13, 2024, during a domestic violence call, a Ravalli County Sheriff's Office deputy shot and killed Lawrence John Conklin under undisclosed circumstances. The Montana Division of Criminal Investigation is handling the investigation. The Ravalli County Attorney's Office and Coroner will review the case.
.
Last update: November 23, 2024

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.kpax.com/news/ravalli-county/ravalli-co-sheriff-deputy-involved-in-fatal-shooting-incident

https://www.kpax.com/news/ravalli-county/ravalli-co-sheriff-deputy-involved-in-fatal-shooting-incident#google_vignette

Paul Rolfes

Age :

Gender :Male

Race : White

Date : 11/02/2024

Location : Jester’s Bar at 200 N. Rodney Street

City : Helena

County : Lewis and Clark

State : Montana

Agency : Helena Police Department

Officer(s) : Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police during removal from bar

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

Paul Rolfes was fatally shot by Helena Police officers after an altercation at Jester's Bar on November 2, 2024. Police responded to a call reporting a man who was refusing to leave the bar and had locked himself in the bathroom. After officers forced entry, Rolfes allegedly confronted them with a knife, which led to the use of a taser. Reports indicate that Rolfes then allegedly stabbed an officer during the struggle, prompting officers to use their firearms, killing him. The incident is being investigated by the Lewis and Clark County Sheriff's Office.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.kulr8.com/helena/helena-police-respond-to-incident-at-jesters-bar/article_4aad9f50-9a05-11ef-b280-dfc4321c901f.html

Rick Alastor Newman

Age :29

Gender :Transgender

Race : White

Date : 10/17/2024

Location : Parking lot of a shopping center near West Oak Street and North 19th Avenue

City : Bozeman

County : Gallatin

State : Montana

Agency : Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office

Officer(s) : Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police during mental health crisis

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On October 16, 2024, Bozeman Police responded to a report of a woman, identified as 29-year-old Rick Alastor Newman, who was threatening a family member with a handgun. Newman fled the scene and continued to make threats to harm herself and others. After a two-hour search, officers located her in a parking lot at a shopping center. Police attempted to de-escalate the situation for nearly three hours. At about 1:45 a.m., Newman briefly set down her handgun but then grabbed it again, prompting officers to open fire. She was fatally shot during the encounter. The officer(s) who shot Rick Alastor Newman during the October 17, 2024 standoff in Bozeman have not been named publicly yet. However, it has been reported that four Bozeman Police officers and one member of the Gallatin County Sheriff's Office were involved in the incident.The involved officers have been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation by the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.ktvh.com/news/update-armed-woman-fatally-shot-by-bozeman-police-identified&#8203
https://www.explorebigsky.com/police-involved-in-bozeman-standoff-fatal-shooting/53349&#8203

Matthew Dutra

Age :33

Gender :Male

Race : White

Date : 10/05/2024

Location : MT-200

City : Bonner

County : Missoula

State : Montana

Agency : Missoula County Sheriff’s Office, Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Police

Officer(s) : Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Suicide under police duress

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

Missoula County deputies were called about a road rage incident and located the involved driver, escalating a chase that ended on Highway 200 near mile marker 20. The driver refused to exit the car in Missoula County Special Response Team (SRT) were called. The man died from suicide under police duress.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://nbcmontana.com/news/local/man-suspected-of-shooting-at-driver-near-seeley-lake-found-dead#

Shirley Ann Rogers

Age :78

Gender :Female

Race : White

Date : 09/13/2024

Location : Broadway and 24th St., West

City : Billings

County : Yellowstone

State : Montana

Agency : Billings Police Department

Officer(s) : Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Vehicle

Event : Two bystanders killed by police chase crash

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

Billings PD chased a car that hadn’t fled what was called a “disturbance” ad high speed until it crashed into a bystander vehicle, killing to an identified bystanders.
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TOTAL CASUALTIES DURING THIS POLICE ENCOUNTER: 2 dead.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.ktvq.com/news/local-news/billings-police-investigating-west-end-c

Michal Shane Rogers

Age :54

Gender :Male

Race : White

Date : 09/13/2024

Location : Broadway and 24th St., West

City : Billings

County : Yellowstone

State : Montana

Agency : Billings Police Department

Officer(s) : Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Vehicle

Event : Two bystanders killed by police chase crash

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

Billings PD chased a car that hadn’t fled what was called a “disturbance” ad high speed until it crashed into a bystander vehicle, killing to an identified bystanders.
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TOTAL CASUALTIES DURING THIS POLICE ENCOUNTER: 2 dead.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.ktvq.com/news/local-news/billings-police-investigating-west-end-crash

Julian Wolf

Age :28

Gender :Male

Race : White

Date : 09/09/2024

Location : Intersection of Fourth Avenue North and North 20th Street

City : Billings

County : Yellowstone

State : Montana

Agency : Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office

Officer(s) : Deputy Wesley Brutlag; Deputy Dylan Council

Cause of Death : Vehicle

Event : Bystander killed by police chase crash

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On the evening of September 9, 2024, Yellowstone County Sheriff's Deputies were in pursuit of a pickup truck in Billings, Montana. The vehicle did not stop for a traffic stop, and police escalated a chase that ended when the vehicle collided with a motorcycle operated by 28-year-old Julian Wolf. Wolf died at the crash site.
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The Billings Police Department crash team is handling the investigation. Police did not disclose why they undertook the deadly chase

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.ktvq.com/news/crime-watch/sheriff-ids-victim-killed-in-billings-fatal-motorcycle-crash
https://www.ktvq.com/news/local-news/apparent-fatal-motorcycle-crash-blocks-north-billings-street
https://www.ktvq.com/news/crime-watch/judge-sets-bond-at-1m-for-man-charged-with-causing-death-of-billings-motorcyclist
https://billingsgazette.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/billings-man-charged-with-vehicular-homicide-in-motorcyclists-death/article_3a5e5b6e-3c5e-11ee-8f3d-3f5e5b6e3c5e.html
https://www.kulr8.com/news/motorcyclist-killed-in-billings-crash-identified/article_4a5e5b6e-3c5e-11ee-8f3d-3f5e5b6e3c5e.html

Raymond Morin

Age :35

Gender :Male

Race : Latino/a/e

Date : 08/26/2024

Location : Roundhouse Point Campground

City : Valley County

County : Valley

State : Montana

Agency : Valley County Sheriff’s Office, McCone County Sheriff’s Office

Officer(s) : Orlando Jimenez

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police during disturbance call

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

The Valley and McCone County Sheriff’s offices responded to a disturbance call at Roundhouse Point Campground where a man and a woman were arguing outside of a vehicle late at night. Police alleged that when they arrived, the man fired a gun toward them, and the female moved toward the officer who fired a taser at her. The male approached and was shot and killed.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://nbcmontana.com/news/local/one-dead-following-officer-involved-shooting-in-valley-county

https://www.kulr8.com/news/man-dead-following-saturday-night-shooting-with-officer-in-valley-county/article_434fd9ca-63b5-11ef-8a78-435b39f38f97.html

Richard C. Smith

Age :68

Gender :Male

Race : White

Date : 07/21/2024

Location : Fish Creek Rd

City : Alberton

County : Mineral

State : Montana

Agency : Mineral County Sheriff’s Office

Officer(s) : Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police during domestic violence call

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

Police allege that after a stabbing and hostage situation, they shot and killed Richard C. Smith.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.kxlh.com/news/crime-and-courts/assault-suspect-shot-by-mineral-county-sheriffs-deputy-has-been-identified

https://billingsgazette.com/news/state-regional/crime-courts/mineral-county-officer-shooting-fish-creek/article_55212bad-160f-5459-8ac2-23e8d84874cf.html

https://billingsgazette.com/news/local/crime-courts/richard-smith-police-shooting/article_a4e29dcf-f84e-502f-a17c-36c10c9e25a3.html

Steven Jeffrey O’Shields

Age :35

Gender :Male

Race : White

Date : 06/21/2024

Location : North Fork

City : Kalispell

County : Flathead

State : Montana

Agency : Flathead County Sheriff’s Office

Officer(s) : Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Vehicle

Event : Driver drowned during police pursuit

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

A 35-year-old man named Steven Jeffrey O’Shields from Franklin, North Carolina, was found dead in the Flathead River near Kalispell, Montana, after fleeing from law enforcement. He had been wanted for unspecified sexual offenses. He fled into a body of water and drowned during the pursuit.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.montanarightnow.com/kalispell/north-carolina-fugitive-drowns-in-flathead-river-after-on-foot-police-chase-through-forest/article_6530b014-3412-11ef-8235-078f7eedb0cc.html

Harley Olson

Age :42

Gender :Male

Race : White

Date : 06/08/2024

Location : Unknown

City : Cut Bank

County : Glacier

State : Montana

Agency : Cut Bank Police Department

Officer(s) : Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed after hitting police officer with car

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

Harley Olson was stopped by police for disorderly conduct and allegedly ran over a police officer who survived and shot and killed him.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.krtv.com/news/montana-and-regional-news/suspect-that-was-shot-in-cut-bank-has-died-investigation-continues

Ross M. Robertson

Age :39

Gender :Male

Race : White

Date : 05/29/2024

Location : 2400 block of Dixon Avenue

City : Missoula

County : Missoula

State : Montana

Agency : Missoula Police Department

Officer(s) : Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Physical restraint

Event : Died in physical restraints during extensive altercation with police

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

Missoula PD arrived at a structure fire and attempted to detain Ross Robertson as a “person of interest.” After what is described by police themselves as an extensive altercation, Robertson died in physical restraints. Details of what these restraints consisted of or what his diagnosis of death during arrest was are not disclosed so far.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.kpax.com/news/missoula-county/man-who-died-in-missoula-police-custody-identified

https://ravallirepublic.com/news/state-and-regional/montana-police-custody-death-ross-robertson/article_7a971ba5-ba89-5e72-ab0b-2a0d7a6556cb.html

Gaylord Angst

Age :81

Gender :Male

Race : White

Date : 05/14/2024

Location : Highway 93, marker 80

City : Missoula

County : Missoula

State : Montana

Agency : Missoula County Sheriff’s Office

Officer(s) : Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Vehicle

Event : Bystander killed by crash with patrol vehicle

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

Gaylord Angst was making a turn when a Missoula County deputy ran into him at unknown speed, killing him.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnkuU9GD3sM

Christopher Brian Couts

Age :32

Gender :Male

Race : White

Date : 05/14/2024

Location : 700 block of Orange Street

City : Missoula

County : Missoula

State : Montana

Agency : Missoula County Sheriff’s Office, Missoula Police Department

Officer(s) : Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police during failed traffic stop pursuit

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

Missoula PD attempted a DUI stop on a man who fled. Police chased the man, engaged in a shootout with him and killed him.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://nbcmontana.com/news/local/suspect-injured-taken-to-hospital-after-pursuit-shots-fired-in-missoula

James Bennett

Age :45

Gender :Male

Race : Native American

Date : 04/30/2024

Location : 400 block of North 31st

City : Billings

County : Yellowstone

State : Montana

Agency : Billings Police Department

Officer(s) : Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police during call of “Man with machete”

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

Billings Police were sent to a call about a man with a machete. Police allege they saw the man, demanded he drop the machete and then shot and killed him.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://nbcmontana.com/news/local/suspect-in-hospital-after-officer-involved-shooting-in-billings

https://www.ktvq.com/news/crime-watch/chief-identifies-billings-police-officer-who-shot-and-killed-armed-man-downtown

Michael John Wiederrich

Age :40

Gender :Male

Race : White

Date : 04/29/2024

Location : South of Saco

City : Great Falls

County : Phillips

State : Montana

Agency : Phillips County Sheriff’s Office, Glasgow Police Department, Valley County Sheriff's Office, and Blaine County Sheriff's Office

Officer(s) : Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police after shooting

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

Police responded to a call that a man had been shot. They found the man who was upset, did not cooperate with police and fled. Numerous police vehicles chased him at high speed. The fleeing man hit a police cruiser. Police shot and killed him.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.krtv.com/news/montana-and-regional-news/shooting-suspect-dead-in-phillips-county

Zachary Andrew Athearn

Age :30

Gender :Male

Race : White

Date : 04/01/2024

Location : Riverside Conoco

City : Hamilton

County : Ravalli

State : Montana

Agency : Hamilton Police Department

Officer(s) : Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police after robbery

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

A man robbed the Riverside Conoco Station. Police arrived, found him with an unspecified weapon and shot and killed him.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.kpax.com/news/ravalli-county/attempted-robbery-suspect-shot-by-hamilton-police-officer

https://www.kpax.com/news/ravalli-county/robbery-suspect-killed-in-hamilton-officer-involved-shooting-identified

Name Not Disclosed

Age :

Gender :Male

Race : Unknown

Date : 03/21/2024

Location : 100 block of South Hilltop Road

City : Columbia Falls

County : Flathead

State : Montana

Agency : Flathead County Sheriff’s Office, SWAT

Officer(s) : Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Suicide under police duress

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

Police chased an erratic driver accused of pointing a gun. SWAT employed flashbang devices and deployed a drone into the residence to assess the situation. Following the drone assessment, SWAT members forced entry into the residence and located the individual. He was found deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
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The individual died at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.  The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office is conducting an ongoing investigation into the events leading up to and during the standoff.
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The operation involved the use of gas munitions, noise flash diversionary devices, and a tactical drone for situational awareness.
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The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation into this incident.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://missoulian.com/news/local/crime-courts/man-dies-by-suicide-during-flathead-swat-standoff/article_e34874d6-e7b0-11ee-8bdd-67aca46ae16a.html

Michael Hanson

Age :69

Gender :Male

Race : White

Date : 02/24/2024

Location : Wexford + McIver

City : Great Falls

County : Cascade

State : Montana

Agency : Cascade County Sheriff’s Office

Officer(s) : Unknown

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police during execution of search warrant

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

Police arrived with a search warrant for animal abuse. They shot and killed homeowner Michael Hanson.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.news-journal.com/suspect-confirmed-dead-at-the-scene-of-recent-cascade-county-sheriff-deputy-shooting-incident/article_d9b0547b-07c7-51e7-a1fd-dc38b8b824f0.html

Kyle J. Maxwell

Age :30

Gender :Male

Race : White

Date : 02/04/2024

Location : 1137 Henry Road

City : Billings

County : Yellowstone

State : Montana

Agency : Billings Police Departmen

Officer(s) : Unknown

Cause of Death : Vehicle

Event : Killed by police chase crash

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

Police chased a pickup truck for un disclosed reasons until it fell 60 feet, killing the driver. Police claim they called off the pursuit moments before the fatal crash.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.12newsnow.com/article/news/crime/officer-involved-shooting-in-beaumont-leaves-man-dead-sunday/502-74853443-0d05-4e8e-880f-e9bcf8d2cd20

Name Not Disclosed

Age :

Gender :Male

Race : Unknown

Date : 01/17/2024

Location : Highway 12

City : Townsend

County : Broadwater

State : Montana

Agency : Montana Highway Patrol

Officer(s) : Unknown

Cause of Death : Vehicle

Event : Killed by police chase crash

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

Montana Highway Patrol tried to traffic-stop a man, escalated a chase that ended when he crashed and died in a head-on collision with the patrol car.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://nbcmontana.com/news/local/suspect-dies-in-crash-after-pursuit-nw-of-townsend

Name Not Disclosed

Age :53

Gender :Male

Race : Unknown

Date : 01/09/2024

Location : 3800 block of W South Ave

City : Missoula

County : Missoula

State : Montana

Agency : Montana Highway Patrol

Officer(s) : Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Suicide under police duress

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

Montana Highway Patrol contacted a 53-year-old male about a hit-and-run investigation. The man committed suicide under police duress when approached by police.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://missoulian.com/news/local/crime-courts/law-enforcement-target-range-crime-scene-investigation/article_69df5894-afe3-11ee-af6e-e7a32a5c2baf.html

Laysa Grewell

Age :22

Gender :Female

Race : White

Date : 01/04/2024

Location : I-90

City : Gallatin

County : Gallatin

State : Montana

Agency : Gallatin County Sheriff's Office

Officer(s) : Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Vehicle

Event : Killed by DUI driver being chased by police

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

An intoxicated driver was going the wrong way on the I-90 when police tried to catch him, placed spike strips and chased him. The chase exceeded 100 mph when the driver hit her SUV head-on, causing it to explode in a fireball. She had a one-year-old child and had just found out she was expecting another one when she died.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.sacbee.com/news/nation-world/national/article286364490.html

Jeffrey Severn

Age :54

Gender :Male

Race : White

Date : 10/06/2023

Location : 200 block of 5th Ave SW

City : Cut Bank

County : Glacier

State : Montana

Agency : Cut Bank PD

Officer(s) : Judd Milender

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police for violation of protective order

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

The Cut Bank PD responded to a violation of a protective order on Fifth Avenue Southwest. Police allege that they arrived and the man tried to avoid the confrontation by leaving in his vehicle and allegedly “confronted” them with a rifle. They shot and killed him.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://nbcmontana.com/news/local/man-dead-after-officer-involved-shooting-in-cut-bank

https://www.fairfieldsuntimes.com/news/state/cut-bank-man-killed-in-officer-involved-shooting-idd/article_c017a4f7-3ed3-5753-bc33-603e70a1e1f9.html

Robert Arthur Singleton

Age :66

Gender :Male

Race : White

Date : 10/05/2023

Location : Ballantine

City : Billings

County : Yellowstone

State : Montana

Agency : Yellowstone County SO

Officer(s) : Brandon Zidack, Joshua Leonhardt

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police during arrest

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

Yellowstone County deputies went to a remote residence in Ballantine near Billings to arrest a man for open warrants. Deputies allege that as they drove up, the man came out of his house and fired a warning shot toward police. Police shot and killed him. It is unknown at this point whether BWC footage or other evidence exists.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://flatheadbeacon.com/2023/10/05/a-deputy-killed-a-man-who-fired-a-gun-as-officers-served-a-warrant-yellowstone-county-sheriff-says/

https://nbcmontana.com/news/local/2-deputies-on-administrative-leave-after-officer-involved-shooting-kills-1-near-ballantine

https://billingsgazette.com/news/local/ycso-identifies-wanted-man-killed-by-deputy-yellowstone-county-shooting/article_9ec8cb46-6487-11ee-9d8b-7f5b42f4b903.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYPpwd3NrKc

https://www.ktvq.com/news/crime-watch/sheriff-ids-2-deputies-put-on-leave-following-ballantine-fatal-shooting

Christopher Ochs

Age :27

Gender :Male

Race : White

Date : 04/25/2023

Location : Cold Creek Lane

City : St. Ignatius

County : Lake

State : Montana

Agency : Lake County SO

Officer(s) : Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police during mental health welfare check

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

Lake County deputies were sent to a welfare check and found Christopher Ochs who reportedly held a knife and charged at a Lake County Sheriff’s Office who shot and killed him.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://flatheadbeacon.com/2023/04/25/missoula-man-killed-in-lake-county-officer-involved-shooting/

https://nbcmontana.com/news/local/officer-involved-shooting-under-investigation-in-lake-co

Name Not Disclosed

Age :

Gender :Male

Race : Unknown

Date : 04/21/2023

Location : Unknown

City : 04/21/2023

County : Polk

State : Montana

Agency : Polk County SO

Officer(s) : Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police during mental health crisis

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

Missouri Highway Patrol says Polk County deputies were originally called to the location around 2:30 p.m. Friday about a man who was suicidal. They shot and killed him. No more information was released.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.ozarksfirst.com/news/mshp-man-dead-after-polk-county-officer-involved-shooting/

Michael L. Rogel

Age :39

Gender :Male

Race : White

Date : 04/03/2023

Location : Bungalow Lane+Greenmore Court

City : Bozeman

County : Gallatin

State : Montana

Agency : Bozeman PD

Officer(s) : Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed in shootout with police

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

Michael L. Rogel was shot and killed by Bozeman PD after pointing a firearm and engaging in a shooting with Bozeman Police officers on Monday, April 3, 2023.He himself hadapparently had a mental health crisis and called 911 and allegedly claimed people were coming to his house to kill him. He left the residence in his vehicle. Officers located the vehicle with him inside. He allegedly had a gun and pointed it at officers. Five officers all fired their guns, striking Rogel and killing him.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.kbzk.com/news/crime-courts/person-dead-after-officer-involved-shooting-in-bozeman

https://nbcmontana.com/newsletter-daily/investigation-ongoing-in-bozeman-officer-involved-shooting

https://www.kbzk.com/news/local-news/friend-of-man-killed-in-officer-involved-shooting-speaks-out

https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/crime/investigations-into-bozeman-police-shooting-to-begin/article_9a8e40ec-d305-11ed-8f4f-070d9f25645a.html

https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/crime/authorities-identify-man-shot-killed-by-bozeman-police-officers/article_f60803f4-d3f0-11ed-9544-d3933224eab6.html

https://www.belgrade-news.com/townnews/police/city-releases-more-information-on-bozeman-police-shooting/article_a8355896-73e0-5445-bd6c-1942ea345bc3.html

Vilene Not Afraid

Age :35

Gender :Female

Race : Native American

Date : 03/25/2023

Location : 4600 block of Western Sky Drive

City : Billings

County : Yellowstone

State : Montana

Agency : Billings Police Department, US Marshals, Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office

Officer(s) : Christopher Etter

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police during disturbance call

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

Billings PD state in the 4600 block of Western Sky Drive at around 4:00 p.m., a woman was involved in a disturbance before shooting a firearm in the air and taking someone’s vehicle without permission. Police found the vehicle on King Avenue West and tried to conduct a traffic stop, but Not Afraid did not stop.
During that chase, she hit two un-involved vehicles near Main Street and Lake Elmo Drive, severely damaging her vehicle.She was surrounded by 10 officers per eyewitness who created a standoff. She refused to exit the car. SWAT deployed gas into the car. Not Afraid exited with a gun at that point and was shot and killed by officer Christopher Etter.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.ktvq.com/news/crime-watch/woman-shot-injured-by-billings-police-following-armed-standoff

https://www.foxnews.com/us/montana-sheriffs-deputy-fatally-shoots-armed-robbery-suspect-after-pursuit-standoff

https://www.fox3now.com/vilene-not-afraid-shot-to-death-by-billings-police-following-a-robbery-standoff-4600-block-of-western-sky-drive/

https://www.ktvq.com/news/crime-watch/sheriff-ids-deputy-who-killed-woman-in-billings-following-standoff

Clary Kaea Anton

Age :22

Gender :Male

Race : Native Pacific Islander

Date : 03/18/2023

Location : 5 Old Hwy 10E

City : St. Regis

County : Mineral

State : Montana

Agency : Mineral County Sheriff's Office Sanders County Sheriff's Office, Montana Highway Patrol

Officer(s) : Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police during investigation

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

Montana Highway Patrol, Mineral County Sheriff’s deputies and Sanders County deputiesshot and killed Clary Kaea Anton shooting near St. Regis Saturday afternoon.Police had been investigating another crime when they saw 2 people walking away from a car. A third man was located but took a hostage and shot the hostage. Police shot and killed him.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.kpax.com/news/western-montana-news/man-killed-in-officer-involved-shooting-at-st-regis-travel-center-identified

https://nbcmontana.com/newsletter-daily/shots-fired-in-st-regis

https://www.kpax.com/news/western-montana-news/details-emerging-in-fatal-officer-involved-shooting-in-st-regis

https://www.montanarightnow.com/missoula/sheriff-to-give-debriefing-about-st-regis-standoff/article_e31aa646-c5c4-11ed-b1f2-4bc51e5fa495.html

https://missoulian.com/news/local/name-of-suspect-killed-during-st-regis-armed-robbery-released/article_e476ca12-ce7d-11ed-8810-0f17e2fefcdc.html

https://www.kpax.com/news/western-montana-news/man-killed-in-officer-involved-shooting-at-st-regis-travel-center-identified

Chase Buchholz

Age :53

Gender :Male

Race : White

Date : 03/17/2023

Location : 1400 block of 3rd West Hill Drive

City : Great Falls

County : Pondera

State : Montana

Agency : Great Falls PD, Cascade County SO, Montana Highway Patrol, Glacier County SO, Toole County SO, Conrad Police, Blackfeet LE, Bureau of Indian Affairs, FBI

Officer(s) : Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Suicide under police duress

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

Late Saturday morning, dispatchers began receiving reports of neighbors hearing gunshots coming from a residence on the 1400 block of Third West Hill Drive. Great Falls PD found one person dead from what appeared to be a gunshot wound. The shooter had left the residence just minutes before they arrived and had been seen speeding to Valier. A Pondera County Sheriff’s deputy found the truck on Highway 44 near Conrad driving away heading west and deputies began chasing after him. The man allegedly shot two rounds at deputies. Police chased him through into the town of Valier and stopped at the Valier Pavilion boat ramp where police were able to block his escape. By that time,a n unknown number of officers from multiple other agencies had arrived, including the Great Falls Police Department, Cascade County Sheriff’s Office, Montana Highway Patrol, Glacier and Toole County Sheriff’s Office, Conrad Police, Blackfeet Law Enforcement, Bureau of Indian Affairs and the FBI. After many law enforcement agencies bore down on him for 3 hours, he shot himself and died from suicide under police duress.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.krtv.com/news/montana-and-regional-news/great-falls-murder-suspect-dead-after-fleeing-to-pondera-county

Janet Rabe

Age :51

Gender :Female

Race : White

Date : 03/13/2023

Location : Cascade Terrace Drive

City : Ballwin

County : St. Louis

State : Montana

Agency : St. Lous County Police Department

Officer(s) : Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police during mental health crisis

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

Police allege that 51-year-old Janet Rabe locked herself inside her home on Cascade Terrace Drive on Monday afternoon after a shootout with police. Ballwin officers had previously tried to pull Janet Rabe over in connection with pointing a weapon earlier in the day. After being chased in different locations, she pointed a gun at police and she ran into a second St. Louis County police vehicle with her car. While fleeing to her home on Cascade Terrace Drive, she pointed the gun again and fired multiple shots at officers. Police chased her back into the subdivision where she locked herself in her condo. After being besieged by St. Louis PD and SWAT, she committed suicide under police duress inside of her condo.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/crime/man-barricaded-ballwin-home-exchanging-gunfire-officers-police-say/63-fd61e2ba-49fc-414b-9804-671b3117c352

https://www.kmov.com/2023/03/13/suspect-barricaded-inside-home-after-shooting-officers-ballwin-police-say/

Gary Thomas Duncan

Age :45

Gender :Male

Race : White

Date : 02/18/2023

Location : Unknown

City : Clinton

County : Ravalli

State : Montana

Agency : Ravalli County SO

Officer(s) : Unknown

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police during domestic violence call

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

Gary Thomas Duncan was allegedly holding his wife hostage in a grocery store. Police arrived and shot and killed him.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.krtv.com/news/montana-and-regional-news/man-killed-during-reported-hostage-situation-in-clinton-has-been-identified