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Mason Palmer Bethea Moore
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Mason Moore was shot and killed while involved in a pursuit of a vehicle near mile marker 109 on Highway 287, south of I-90.
The vehicle he was pursuing had fled as he attempted to stop it for a traffic violation. During the pursuit, the occupants opened fire, severely wounding him and causing his vehicle to go off the roadway. The subjects then made a U-turn and returned to the patrol car, where they fired over two dozen rounds into it, striking Deputy Moore twice in the head.
A short time later, members of the Montana Highway Patrol located the suspect vehicle in Butte-Silver Bow County and attempted to stop it. The ensuing pursuit traveled through several counties as the occupants continued firing at officers. Tire deflation devices were successfully deployed in Powell County, bringing the pursuit to an end. The passenger of the vehicle then exited the car and exchanged shots with officers before being mortally wounded.
The vehicle's driver was taken into custody and subsequently charged with 16 counts of premeditated, deliberate homicide. Investigation revealed that the father and son had intended to locate and murder a law enforcement officer that night. The driver was found guilty of three counts of deliberate homicide by accountability and two counts of attempted deliberate homicide and sentenced to three concurrent life sentences.
Deputy Moore had served with the Broadwater County Sheriff's Office for three years and had served in law enforcement for a total of 15 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and three children.
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 Sheriff Moore gave the Broadwater County Sheriff's Office 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Townsend community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Moore.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Mason is the only officer of Broadwater County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Mason is one of 93 officers killed feloniously in MT, 65.5% of the 142 remembered there.
Mason is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Mason 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 2017, 1 officer in MT was killed feloniously, the 25th heaviest of 58 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 6.
In 2017, 59 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 129th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2017, 64 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 125th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Mason was 42. Of the 81 killed feloniously in MT whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 47; the middle age was 39. Mason had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Mason 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. Mason had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Mason was 42. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Mason had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 5.4% of these deaths in MT; December holds the most, 15.1%. Tuesdays: 16.1%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Broadwater County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 65.5% of all 142 deaths in MT, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 4.3% 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 gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 22-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Broadwater County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.