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Incident
Policeman Alex Couture succumbed to head injuries sustained while struggling with a suspect in front of the Post Office on U.S. 93 in Elmo. He had stopped to investigate a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot at about 3:00 am. He became engaged in a scuffle with the two occupants of the vehicle. His head struck the pavement during the struggle and he suffered a skull fracture. The two men he was struggling with alerted the postmaster's wife, who called for an ambulance. However, a responding state trooper took him to a local hospital. He was being transferred to a second hospital but succumbed to his injuries on the way. Policeman Couture had served with the Flathead Indian Nation Police Department for 12 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Policeman Couture gave the Flathead Indian Nation Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Pablo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman Couture.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Alex is the only officer of Flathead Indian Nation Police Department remembered here.
Alex is one of 93 officers killed feloniously in MT, 65.5% of the 142 remembered there.
Alex is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Alex is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1963, 1 officer in MT was killed feloniously, the 25th heaviest of 58 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 6.
In 1963, 71 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 100th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1963, 71 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 106th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Alex was 58. Of the 81 killed feloniously in MT whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 47; the middle age was 39. Alex had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Alex was 58. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Alex had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Alex was 58. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Alex had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 7.5% of these deaths in MT; December holds the most, 15.1%. Sundays: 14%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Flathead Indian Nation Police Department. The weapon recorded was person, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 65.5% of all 142 deaths in MT, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 4.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 1.8% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 20-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Flathead Indian Nation Police Department are honored on badge.nw.