Incident
Policeman James Pace suffered a fatal heart attack after an intense struggle with a man with a gun. He had been alerted to a disturbance involving three men on East Galena Street, and told the men to move along when he arrived at the location. The men refused to leave, at which point Policeman Pace told them they were under arrest. One of the men drew a revolver and pointed it at Policeman Pace, who was able to knock it from his hand. Policeman Pace then drew his own gun and the two struggled for three minutes before the subject was shot in the hand and surrendered. Other officers arrived and took the subject to the city jail. Policeman Pace began to feel ill and collapsed. He was taken to the emergency hospital where he died later that day.
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 Pace served with the Butte Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Butte community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman Pace.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Butte Police Department has lost 14 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
James is one of 10 officers lost to cardiac events in MT, 7% of the 142 remembered there.
James is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1915, 1 officer in MT was lost to cardiac events, more than in any other year.
In 1915, 1 officer in the United States was lost to cardiac events, the 122nd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1915, 1 officer worldwide was lost to cardiac events, the 122nd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
James was 41. Of the 8 lost to cardiac events in MT whose age is recorded, half were between 44.8 and 53.8; the middle age was 49.5.
James was 41. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48.
James was 41. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48.
When
July holds 10% of these deaths in MT; November holds the most, 20%. Tuesdays: 20%.
July holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Tuesdays: 13.9%.
July holds 7.2% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 13.9%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 7.1% of all 14 deaths at Butte Police Department, the 3rd most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 100% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 7% of all 142 deaths in MT, the 3rd most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 20% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 16.1% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 16% of these deaths.
His people
Butte Police Department has 14 officers remembered here, James among them.
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William F. Jordan Jun 24, 1892
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Dennis W. Daly Jul 4, 1894
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Frederick Kranbeck Jan 15, 1895
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Fred A. Parlin Mar 18, 1896
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Joseph A. Freshman
Sep 23, 1906
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Ivan W. Lincoln Mar 30, 1915
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James H. Pace Jul 27, 1915
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Bart J. McCarthy Jul 22, 1916
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William George Heaney Nov 22, 1918
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Dennis Joseph Murphy
Feb 18, 1919
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Joseph E. Sage Apr 8, 1925
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Jeremiah Joseph Murphy Sep 20, 1935
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Thomas J. O'Neill
Dec 25, 1935
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Nicholas Aleksich Feb 28, 1937
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 50-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from Butte Police Department are honored on badge.nw.


