Prev
Incident
Police Officer Frank Connolly was shot and killed while questioning two suspicious people outside of the Arlington Hotel near the intersection of 5th Street SW and Fourth Avenue SW on the West Side. A month later the suspects shot and seriously wounded the Lincoln County sheriff when he attempted to arrest them in Eureka. The sheriff managed to return fire and wounded one suspect. Two days later both suspects were apprehended in Flathead County. One of the men was convicted of murder and sentenced to 10 to 20 years in prison. He was released in 1931. Officer Connolly had served with the Great Falls Police Department for 11 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtmrhxygxn6hm451af7a3- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Frank. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Connolly gave the Great Falls Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Great Falls community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Connolly.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Great Falls Police Department has lost 6 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Frank is one of 93 officers killed feloniously in MT, 65.5% of the 142 remembered there.
Frank is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,546 remembered there.
Frank is one of 17,630 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,912 remembered here.
33,912 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1920, 4 officers in MT were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 58 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 6.
In 1920, 209 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1920, 396 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Frank was 51. Of the 81 killed feloniously in MT whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 47; the middle age was 39. Frank had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Frank was 51. Of the 14,216 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Frank had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Frank was 51. Of the 15,850 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Frank had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 8.6% of these deaths in MT; December holds the most, 15.1%. Mondays: 9.7%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 6 deaths at Great Falls Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 65.5% of all 142 deaths in MT, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 35.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,546 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,912 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Great Falls Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, Frank among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 4-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Great Falls Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
