Roll of Honor
Mason Palmer Bethea Moore
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Mason Moore was shot and killed while involved in a pursuit of a vehicle near mile marker 109 on Highway 287, south of I-90.
The vehicle he was pursuing had fled as he attempted to stop it for a traffic violation. During the pursuit, the occupants opened fire, severely wounding him and causing his vehicle to go off the roadway. The subjects then made a U-turn and returned to the patrol car, where they fired over two dozen rounds into it, striking Deputy Moore twice in the head.
A short time later, members of the Montana Highway Patrol located the suspect vehicle in Butte-Silver Bow County and attempted to stop it. The ensuing pursuit traveled through several counties as the occupants continued firing at officers. Tire deflation devices were successfully deployed in Powell County, bringing the pursuit to an end. The passenger of the vehicle then exited the car and exchanged shots with officers before being mortally wounded.
The vehicle's driver was taken into custody and subsequently charged with 16 counts of premeditated, deliberate homicide. Investigation revealed that the father and son had intended to locate and murder a law enforcement officer that night. The driver was found guilty of three counts of deliberate homicide by accountability and two counts of attempted deliberate homicide and sentenced to three concurrent life sentences.
Deputy Moore had served with the Broadwater County Sheriff's Office for three years and had served in law enforcement for a total of 15 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MT-7D323D54- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Moore gave the Broadwater County Sheriff's Office 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Townsend community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Moore.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Mason Palmer Bethea Moore 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Mason Palmer Bethea Moore's cause is highlighted.
How Mason Palmer Bethea Moore Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Mason Palmer Bethea Moore is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Mason Palmer Bethea Moore was killed by gun; unknown type.