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Incident
Sheriff Robert Gilmore and Special Officer John MacLeod, of the Montana-Crow Indian Reservation Police Department, were shot and killed when they went to arrest a transient. The man was the suspect in several burglaries in the county and wanted for disturbing the peace on the reservation. The officers told him the charges would be dropped if he left town. The officers went to his shack to arrest him after he failed to leave town. They were confronted by the man with a .22 caliber rifle and the man opened fire, fatally wounding Sheriff Gilmore in the neck. The suspect then wounded the undersheriff before barricading himself in his shack. As Officer MacLeod attempted to kick in the back door he was shot in the groin. The round struck an artery and Officer MacLeod bled to death. Deputies from Yellowstone County responded to the scene and set the house on fire. As the man fled he was shot and killed by the crowd.
Survivors
Sheriff Gilmore had been with the agency or 11 years and was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- 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 Gilmore gave the Big Horn County Sheriff's Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hardin community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Gilmore.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Big Horn County Sheriff's Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Robert is one of 93 officers killed feloniously in MT, 65.5% of the 142 remembered there.
Robert is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Robert 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 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
Robert was 63. Of the 81 killed feloniously in MT whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 47; the middle age was 39. Robert had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Robert was 63. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Robert had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Robert was 63. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Robert had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 10.8% of these deaths in MT; December holds the most, 15.1%. Fridays: 17.2%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Big Horn County Sheriff's Department. 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 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Big Horn County Sheriff's Department has 2 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 50-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Big Horn County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
