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Theodore Rothe
Incident
Deputy Warden Theodore Rothe was shot and killed during a 35-hour convict rebellion at the Montana Sate Prison in which 16 guards were taken hostage. The ring leader of the convicts killed Deputy Warden Rothe and then committed suicide as the Montana National Guard and Montana Highway Patrol stormed the prison and regained control.
Survivors
Deputy Warden Rothe was survived by his wife, two children, two brothers, and two sisters.
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.
Deputy Warden Rothe served with the Montana Department of Corrections.
Thank you for your service to the people of Montana. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Warden Rothe.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Montana Department of Corrections - State Prison has lost 4 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Theodore is one of 93 officers killed feloniously in MT, 65.5% of the 142 remembered there.
Theodore is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Theodore is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1959, 2 officers in MT were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 58 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 6.
In 1959, 61 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 123rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1959, 62 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 129th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Theodore was 40. Of the 81 killed feloniously in MT whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 47; the middle age was 39.
Theodore was 40. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Theodore was 40. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
April holds 11.8% of these deaths in MT; December holds the most, 15.1%. Thursdays: 11.8%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 4 deaths at Montana Department of Corrections - State Prison, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, 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 rifle, in 14% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Montana Department of Corrections - State Prison has 4 officers remembered here, Theodore among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 40-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Montana Department of Corrections - State Prison are honored on badge.nw.
