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Incident
Undersheriff Otto Fossen was shot and killed by a hitchhiker he had picked up. Donald L. Bujok, age 21, of Roundup, Montana stole a car east of Chester and proceeded to flee west on Highway 2. Local law enforcement had been alerted and as the Sheriff Dodd Keith was setting up a roadblock, Undersheriff Otto Fossen drove to Joplin to investigate a car stopped on the highway. The events of Undersheriff Fossen's attack is unclear since there were no witnesses, but it was confirmed that Undersheriff Fossen was shot five times in the neck and body and managed to get off two shots as he attempted to subdue the attacker. The suspect managed to escape in the Undersheriff’s car and proceeded west at a high rate of speed. Undersheriff Fossen was still alive when local residents found him and took him directly to the hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The suspect continued to flee, but left the car in a field and continued on foot. A manhunt was organized and approximately 200 volunteers searched the area. After an exhaustive search the suspect, Bujok, surrendered. A disassembled revolver was found in his hiding spot, and after an x-ray cartridges were found in his intestinal tract. When the cartridges were recovered and examined by forensics the evidence was conclusive that he had been wounded by Undersheriff Fossen's weapon. Bujok was convicted and sentenced to life in prison.
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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.
Undersheriff Fossen served with the Liberty County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chester community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Undersheriff Fossen.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Otto is the only officer of Liberty County Sheriff's Department remembered here.
Otto is one of 93 officers killed feloniously in MT, 65.5% of the 142 remembered there.
Otto is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Otto is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1957, 1 officer in MT was killed feloniously, the 25th heaviest of 58 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 6.
In 1957, 67 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 107th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1957, 69 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
October holds 10.8% of these deaths in MT; December holds the most, 15.1%. Saturdays: 16.1%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Liberty County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was gun, 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, in 35.5% 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, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 50-W
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