Roll of Honor

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Chief of Police

Don Richard Williams

Thompson Falls Police Department — Thompson Falls, MT

Felonious

End of Watch January 7, 1974

Age 44

The Vigil Panel 113 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice

Incident

Chief of Police Don Williams and Game Warden Eugene Sara, of the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, were shot and killed after responding to a domestic disturbance call near the intersection of Haley Avenue and Spruce Street. The suspect had already shot Chief Williams and stolen his weapon. As Warden Sara and a county sheriff's deputy arrived at the scene the suspect opened fire on them, mortally wounding Warden Sara. Warden Sara and the deputy were able to return fire, killing the suspect. Warden Sara's wife was working as a dispatcher on the night of the incident and dispatched the officers on the call.

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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

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police Williams served with the Thompson Falls Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Thompson Falls community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Williams.

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

Agency

Department Thompson Falls Police Department

Location Thompson Falls, MT

Platform Identity tfpd.sanders.mt.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch January 7, 1974

Age 44

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Officer's handgun

Offender Shot and killed

Chief of Police Don Richard Williams 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%.

Thompson Falls Police Department

of 1 officers

100% Felonious

MT — Statewide

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. Don Richard Williams'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 Don Richard Williams Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Shot and killed

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Don Richard Williams is highlighted in Jan.

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. Don Richard Williams 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