Silas Ralston

Gallatin County Sheriff's Office — Bozeman, MT

Felonious

End of Watch September 5, 1878

Age 39

The Vigil Panel 6 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 4

Incident

Sheriff Silas Ralston was shot and killed as he attempted to stop a quarrel between two men at a saloon in Bozeman. He was killed instantly when one of the men drew a revolver and shot him.

Several witnesses said the suspects revolver discharged accidentally. Others said the killing was intentional. All agreed that the suspect was very intoxicated. He was charged with manslaughter.

Rest in peace always knowing that no passage of time will ever erase your service and sacrifice.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo Delaware State Police (Retired) September 5th, 2020

In Our Keeping

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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

148 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Sheriff Ralston served with the Gallatin County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Bozeman community. Gone but never to be forgotten.

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

Agency

Department Gallatin County Sheriff's Office

Location Bozeman, MT

Platform Identity gcso.gallatin.mt.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 5, 1878

Age 39

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Handgun; Revolver

Offender Charged with manslaughter

Sheriff Silas Ralston 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 Gallatin County Sheriff's Office, 4 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80% of this agency's fallen.

Gallatin County Sheriff's Office

of 5 officers

80% Felonious

MT — Statewide

of 142 officers

65.5% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious