Robert T. Hannah

Billings Police Dept. — Billings, MT

Felonious

End of Watch July 2, 1904

Age 51

The Vigil Panel 19 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 3

Incident

Sergeant Robert Hannah was shot and killed when he responded to a robbery at a local saloon. Two robbery suspects entered a local saloon and gambling hall through a rear door. As they entered the building, two customers heard the commotion and left through the front door. The two customers went to the police station and reported the robbery. Sergeant Hannah, the Yellowstone County Sheriff and a Northern Pacific detective responded to the robbery. When they arrived, a gun battle ensued and both Sergeant Hannah and the Yellowstone County Sheriff were wounded. The Yellowstone County Sheriff suffered a minor wound to his hand, however, Sergeant Hannah suffered more serious wounds and died later that day. Two suspects were arrested and one confessed to murdering Sergeant Hannah. Both suspects escaped from the Yellowstone County Jail two months later.

Survivors

Segeant Hannah was survived by his wife Amelia, his sons Robert and John, and his daughters Margaret and Gertrude.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-MT-38478F8E
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.
Sergeant Hannah served with the Billings Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Billings community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Hannah.

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

Agency

Department Billings Police Dept.

Location Billings, MT

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

Service Record

End of Watch July 2, 1904

Age 51

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun; Revolver

Offender Escaped

Sergeant Robert T. Hannah 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 Billings Police Dept., 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 Dept.

of 4 officers

75% Felonious

MT — Statewide

of 142 officers

65.5% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious