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Incident
Undersheriff Ed O'Donnell was killed in an airplane crash while participating in a search for several suspects in Powder River County. The 65-horsepower Piper Cub crashed near Biddle while assisting a posse on the ground searching for two suspects who had run into the hills after fleeing from a roadblock. The civilian pilot was also killed in the crash. Undersheriff O'Donnell had served with the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office for eight years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, three sisters, and seven brothers.
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.
Undersheriff O'Donnell gave the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Billings community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Undersheriff O'Donnell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office has lost 6 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
Ed is one of 34 officers lost to accidents in MT, 23.9% of the 142 remembered there.
Ed is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ed is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1941, 2 officers in MT were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1941, 68 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 54th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1941, 90 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 38th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Ed was 46. Of the 30 lost to accidents in MT whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 53.8; the middle age was 47. Ed had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 8.5 years.
Ed was 46. 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. Ed had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ed was 46. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Ed had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 5.9% of these deaths in MT; December holds the most, 17.6%. Thursdays: 14.7%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 6 deaths at Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office, the 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 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office has 6 officers remembered here, Ed among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 58-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
