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Incident
Trooper David DeLaittre was shot and killed while conducting a vehicle stop on Lane Road, near the Three Forks Airport, in Gallatin County at about 4:20 pm.
He had stopped the vehicle after seeing a man walking nearby with a shotgun. Before Trooper DeLaittre exited the vehicle the driver exited the truck and started walking back towards the patrol car, then suddenly turned around and reached into the pickup truck.
As Trooper DeLaittre instructed the man to come back the man emerged with a 12-gauge shotgun loaded with birdshot. The two exchanged shots at range of 35-feet and Trooper DeLaittre was struck in the abdomen. He took cover on the passenger side of his patrol car as the subject reloaded his shotgun. They exchanged shots again and Trooper DeLaittre suffered a fatal shot.
The suspect, who had been wounded once in the chest during the shootout, fled in his truck. He was found dead several hours later after having committed suicide with a .22 caliber rifle.
Trooper DeLaittre had served with the Montana Highway Patrol for two years.
Survivors
He is survived by his parents and two siblings.
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.
Trooper DeLaittre gave the Montana Highway Patrol 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Montana. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper DeLaittre.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Montana Highway Patrol has lost 8 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
David is one of 93 officers killed feloniously in MT, 65.5% of the 142 remembered there.
David is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
David 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 2010, 1 officer at Montana Highway Patrol was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 2010, 2 officers in MT were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 58 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 6.
In 2010, 80 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 84th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2010, 85 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 80th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
David was 23. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Montana Highway Patrol whose age is recorded, half were between 24 and 30; the middle age was 28. David had served 2.1 years; the middle length of service was 2.5 years.
David was 23. Of the 81 killed feloniously in MT whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 47; the middle age was 39. David had served 2.1 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
David was 23. 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. David had served 2.1 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
David was 23. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. David had served 2.1 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 20% of these deaths at Montana Highway Patrol; November holds the most, 20%. Wednesdays: 20%.
December holds 15.1% of these deaths in MT, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 15.1%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 62.5% of all 8 deaths at Montana Highway Patrol, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun; 12 gauge, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 65.5% of all 142 deaths in MT, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun; 12 gauge, in 1.1% 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 shotgun; 12 gauge, in 0.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun; 12 gauge, in 0.2% of these deaths.
His people
Montana Highway Patrol has 8 officers remembered here, David among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 54-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Montana Highway Patrol are honored on badge.nw.
