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Incident
Sheriff Dominick Cavanaugh was beaten to death by his opponent in the previous election for the office of sheriff.
Sheriff Cavanaugh was returning to his home in Glendive when he was approached by the man, who engaged him in conversation near his stables. When Sheriff Cavanaugh turned to leave the man struck him on the back of the head with a metal bar, knocking him to the ground. He continued beating him until leaving the scene.
The subject was arrested, convicted of murder, and sentenced to death. He was subsequently executed by hanging on March 29th, 1900.
Sheriff Cavanaugh had served as the county sheriff for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and infant son.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
128 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Sheriff Cavanaugh gave the Dawson County Sheriff's Office 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Glendive community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Dominick is the only officer of Dawson County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Dominick is one of 93 officers killed feloniously in MT, 65.5% of the 142 remembered there.
Dominick is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Dominick is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1898, 2 officers in MT were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 58 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 6.
In 1898, 89 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1898, 91 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 73rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Dominick was 44. Of the 81 killed feloniously in MT whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 47; the middle age was 39. Dominick had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Dominick was 44. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Dominick had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Dominick was 44. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Dominick had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 15.1% of these deaths in MT, more than any other month. Fridays: 17.2%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.3%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Dawson County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 65.5% of all 142 deaths in MT, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.1% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
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