Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Stephen LePiane was killed when his cruiser was broadsided by a drunk driver at approximately 2:00 am at the intersection of old Highway 10 and Mullen Road. He was following another officer as backup on a traffic stop when a vehicle ran a stop sign at a high rate of speed and struck his patrol car on the driver's side door. Although he was wearing his seatbelt, the impact caused him to be ejected from the vehicle. The other officer observed the accident in his mirror and immediately turned around. The 25-year-old driver was apprehended and later convicted of negligent homicide. He was sentenced to six months in jail and ordered to pay for Officer LePiane's funeral and the value of the police car, which amounted to $12,500.00. Officer LePiane had served with the Missoula Police Department for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two sons, father, and three siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MT-D3354DD2- Stewardship
- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer LePiane gave the Missoula Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Missoula community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer LePiane.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Stephen A. LePiane 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 Missoula 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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Stephen A. LePiane's cause is highlighted.
How Stephen A. LePiane Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Stephen A. LePiane is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Stephen A. LePiane was killed by automobile.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Missoula Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
