Alexander Finlayson Mavity

Billings Police Department — Billings, MT

Felonious

End of Watch February 14, 1989

Age 28

Tour of Duty 8 yrs

The Vigil Panel 134 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 3

Incident

Detective Alexander Mavity was shot and killed while attempting to recapture a prisoner who was attempting to escape custody. The man had been arrested on a parole violation after officers responded to his home for a domestic disturbance call. The man fled as they walked into the rear of the police station. Detective Mavity chased the subject into an alley and began to struggle with him. The man was able to gain control of Detective Mavity's service weapon during the struggle and shot him. The man was then shot and killed by Detective Mavity as they continued to struggle for the weapon. Detective Mavity had served with the Billings Police Department for eight years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, daughter, sister, and parents.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-MT-2B787706
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: August 2, 2026
Last updated: August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Alexander. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Mavity gave the Billings Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Billings community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Mavity.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Billings Police Department

Type Other

Location Billings, Yellowstone County, MT

Platform Identity bpd.yellowstone.mt.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 14, 1989

Tour of Duty 8 yrs

Age 28

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Officer's handgun

Detective Alexander Finlayson Mavity is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.

In MT, 93 of 142 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 65.5% of this state's fallen. That is 65.5 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Billings Police Department, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.

Billings Police Department

of 4 officers

75% Felonious

MT — Statewide

of 142 officers

65.5% Felonious

Nationwide

of 97,772 officers

0% Felonious