Alexander Finlayson Mavity
Detective

Alexander Finlayson Mavity

Billings Police Dept. — Billings, MT
Felonious
End of Watch February 14, 1989
Age 28
Tour of Duty 8 yrs
The Vigil Panel 134 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Detective Alexander Mavity was shot and killed while attempting to recapture a prisoner who was attempting to escape custody. The man had been arrested on a parole violation after officers responded to his home for a domestic disturbance call. The man fled as they walked into the rear of the police station. Detective Mavity chased the subject into an alley and began to struggle with him. The man was able to gain control of Detective Mavity's service weapon during the struggle and shot him. The man was then shot and killed by Detective Mavity as they continued to struggle for the weapon. Detective Mavity had served with the Billings Police Department for eight years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, daughter, sister, and parents.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-MT-2B787706
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.
Detective Mavity gave the Billings Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Billings community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Mavity.

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

Agency

Location Billings, MT
Platform Identity bpd.yellowstone.mt.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 14, 1989
Tour of Duty 8 yrs
Age 28
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Officer's handgun
Offender Shot and killed

Detective Alexander Finlayson Mavity 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.
3
of 4 officers
75% Felonious
MT — Statewide
93
of 142 officers
65.5% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Alexander Finlayson Mavity's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Alexander Finlayson Mavity Compares

Age at End of Watch
28
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
8
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Shot and killed

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Alexander Finlayson Mavity is highlighted in Feb.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Alexander Finlayson Mavity was killed by officer's handgun.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Incident Location