Richard E. Hedstrom

Montana Highway Patrol — Boulder, MT

Felonious

End of Watch July 19, 1973

Age 24

Tour of Duty

Badge 307

The Vigil Panel 112 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 7

Incident

Patrolman Rick Hedstrom was struck and killed by a drunk driver during a traffic stop on U.S. 93, two miles south of Kalispell at 1:30 am. He was writing a warning for a malfunctioning headlight, and his training officer was sitting in the patrol car when it was struck from behind by a pickup truck traveling at 87 mph. The impact pushed the patrol car into Patrolman Hedstrom, causing fatal injuries. The driver of the truck was to be charged with negligent homicide but died of injuries sustained in the collision. Patrolman Hedstrom had only served with the Montana Highway Patrol for 18 days.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife, son, brother, and three sisters.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-MT-628CE435
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
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.
Patrolman Hedstrom served with the Montana Highway Patrol.
Thank you for your service to the people of Montana. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Hedstrom.

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

Agency

Department Montana Highway Patrol

Location Boulder, MT

Platform Identity mhp.mt.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 19, 1973

Tour of Duty

Age 24

Badge Number 307

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Automobile; Alcohol involved

Offender Killed in crash

Patrolman Richard E. Hedstrom 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%.

At Montana Highway Patrol, 5 of 8 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 62.5% of this agency's fallen.

Montana Highway Patrol

of 8 officers

62.5% Felonious

MT — Statewide

of 142 officers

65.5% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious