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Incident
Sheriff James Webb was shot and killed on a ranch near Roundup while attempting to apprehend a man wanted for stealing horses in Wyoming. Sheriff Webb had learned that the man was at the ranch and went to arrest him. He found the man staying in a sheep wagon, took a pistol from him, and told him to come out. When the man emerged from the wagon's door he was holding a rifle and told the sheriff to drop his gun. The man then fired into the ground at Sheriff Webb's feet. As Sheriff Webb attempted to draw his gun the man shot him in the chest. The subject fled but was located by a posse on another ranch 20 miles north of Roundup. He committed suicide after being wounded by the posse. Sheriff Webb's funeral was attended by over 2,500 people.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Webb served with the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Billings community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Webb.
— 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.
James is one of 93 officers killed feloniously in MT, 65.5% of the 142 remembered there.
James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James 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 1908, 2 officers in MT were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 58 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 6.
In 1908, 129 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1908, 129 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 42nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 42. Of the 81 killed feloniously in MT whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 47; the middle age was 39.
James 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.
James was 42. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
March holds 8.6% of these deaths in MT; December holds the most, 15.1%. Tuesdays: 16.1%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
March holds 7.8% 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 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office has 6 officers remembered here, James among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 31-W
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.
