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James Mackay
Incident
Deputy James Mackay succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained two days earlier while riding with a posse attempting to capture two men who had murdered Special Deputy William Rader two days earlier. The suspect was arrested in Needles, California, in 1895 and returned to Meagher County. He was convicted of Deputy Mackay's murder and hanged on December 20, 1895. A second suspect was hanged in Helena, Montana June 8, 1896.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
133 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Mackay served with the Meagher County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the White Sulphur Spring community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Meagher County Sheriff's Department has lost 3 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 1893, 2 officers in MT were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 58 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 6.
In 1893, 76 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 92nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1893, 81 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 87th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
May holds 5.4% of these deaths in MT; December holds the most, 15.1%. Saturdays: 16.1%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Meagher County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Meagher County Sheriff's Department has 3 officers remembered here, James among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 13-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Meagher County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
