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Incident
Sheriff Russell Sage was shot and killed and a deputy was seriously wounded by a demented prisoner as they entered his cell in the old Yellowstone County Jail at the corner of North 27th Street and 4th Avenue North. The prisoner had a pistol that officers failed to find when they incarcerated him the night before on a disturbance charge. The man escaped but was recaptured minutes later and charged with murder. The man was found not guilty by reason of insanity on November 22nd, 1926. He died at the state mental hospital in Warm Springs on July 7th, 1942. Sheriff Sage had served as sheriff for five years and had previously served as a police officer for the Billings Police Department for four years.
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.
Sheriff Sage gave the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Billings community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Sage.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office has lost 6 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Russell is one of 93 officers killed feloniously in MT, 65.5% of the 142 remembered there.
Russell is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Russell is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1926, 3 officers in MT were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 58 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 6.
In 1926, 209 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1926, 209 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Russell was 42. Of the 81 killed feloniously in MT whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 47; the middle age was 39. Russell had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Russell was 42. 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. Russell had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Russell was 42. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Russell had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 8.6% of these deaths in MT; December holds the most, 15.1%. Tuesdays: 16.1%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 33.3% of all 6 deaths at Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, 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 handgun, in 22.6% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office has 6 officers remembered here, Russell among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 58-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
