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Incident
Patrolman James Anderson was struck and killed by a vehicle during a traffic stop for a routine equipment inspection about 11 miles east of Bozeman and 10 miles west of Livingston, Montana, on U.S. Highway 10. He was standing at the driver's side window of the vehicle he pulled over when he was struck. The driver who struck Patrolman Anderson was acquitted of involuntary manslaughter. Patrolman Anderson was a United States Navy WWII veteran who had served with the Montana Highway Patrol for nine years and previously served with the Custer County Sheriff's Office for ten years. He was survived by his wife, son, three brothers and a sister. His son served with the FBI for a few years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, three brothers and a sister.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Anderson gave the Montana Highway Patrol 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Montana, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
James H. Anderson served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Montana Highway Patrol has lost 8 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
James is one of 34 officers lost to accidents in MT, 23.9% of the 142 remembered there.
James is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
James is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1954, 1 officer in MT was lost to accidents, the 6th heaviest of 29 years on record. The heaviest was 1895, with 2.
In 1954, 69 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 51st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1954, 73 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 70th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
James was 47. Of the 30 lost to accidents in MT whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 53.8; the middle age was 47. James had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 8.5 years.
James was 47. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. James had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 47. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. James had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 8.8% of these deaths in MT; December holds the most, 17.6%. Saturdays: 23.5%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
July holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 37.5% of all 8 deaths at Montana Highway Patrol, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 23.9% of all 142 deaths in MT, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Montana Highway Patrol has 8 officers remembered here, James among them.
Where
Military Service
James H. Anderson served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit James H. Anderson’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 15-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Montana Highway Patrol are honored on badge.nw.
