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Incident
City Marshal Commodore Downing succumbed to injuries sustained on August 22nd, 1895, when was struck by a streetcar at the intersection of 2nd Avenue South and Second Street South. He and two officers were making their rounds when a bicyclist crashed on the street. They were standing near the streetcar rails when they stopped and turned to look at the cyclist who had fallen. The other officers noticed the streetcar approaching and yelled at Marshal Downing to watch out, inadvertently prompting him to jump backward in front of the streetcar. He suffered a broken leg and other injuries after being pushed approximately 20 feet. He was taken to his home to recover but died of complications on November 7th, 1895. Marshal Downing had previously served as the sheriff of Cascade County.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and daughter.
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
131 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
City Marshal Downing gave the Great Falls Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Great Falls community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Great Falls Police Department has lost 6 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Commodore is one of 34 officers lost to accidents in MT, 23.9% of the 142 remembered there.
Commodore is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Commodore is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1895, 2 officers in MT were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1895, 15 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 129th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1895, 19 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 135th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Commodore was 51. Of the 30 lost to accidents in MT whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 53.8; the middle age was 47. Commodore had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 8.5 years.
Commodore was 51. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Commodore had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Commodore was 51. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Commodore had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 5.9% of these deaths in MT; December holds the most, 17.6%. Thursdays: 14.7%.
November holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.
November holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 16.7% of all 6 deaths at Great Falls Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 23.9% of all 142 deaths in MT, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Great Falls Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, Commodore among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 46-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.
