Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Dave Malcolm and Agent Thomas Matthews of the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation were shot and killed while conducting a roadblock near the town of Spearfish at the intersection of South Dakota Highway 14 and 85. Both officers were shot around 7 p.m. by an escaped murderer from Minnesota. The suspect was apprehended and executed in the electric chair in 1947. Sheriff Malcolm was a World War I veteran who was elected as Sheriff of Butte County Sheriff's Office in 1945 and previously served as a deputy sheriff. He was survived by his wife and daughter. A portion of Highway 85 has been dedicated to Sheriff Malcolm and Agent Matthews.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-SD-48CA7B51- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Sheriff Malcolm gave the Butte County Sheriff's Office 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Belle Fourche community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Dave Malcolm served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Sheriff Dave Malcolm 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 SD, 36 of 62 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58.1% of this state's fallen. That is 3.9 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. Dave Malcolm's cause is highlighted.
How Dave Malcolm Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1947
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Dave Malcolm is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Dave Malcolm was killed by gun; unknown type.