Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Peterson was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man for driving on a revoked license. Officer Peterson, with another Poplar officer and a Sioux tribal police officer, observed the man driving the vehicle and attempted to stop him. The driver led the officers on a pursuit until the officers shot out one of his tires, causing the vehicle to overturn. The suspect exited the vehicle and opened fire on the officers with a .30-.30 rifle, killing Officer Peterson. The man then committed suicide.
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BO-US-MT-2D4F9701- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Peterson served with the Poplar Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Poplar community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Peterson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Oscar Theodore Peterson is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 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 11.3 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Oscar Theodore Peterson's cause is highlighted.
How Oscar Theodore Peterson Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed suicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Oscar Theodore Peterson is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Oscar Theodore Peterson was killed by rifle; .30-.30.