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Incident
Special Officer John MacLeod and Sheriff Robert Gilmore, of the Big Horn County Sheriff's 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
Officer MacLeod had been with the agency for two years and was survived by his wife, Lillie, a son John, and daughter, Jessie.
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.
Special Officer MacLeod gave the Crow Nation Tribal Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Crow Agency community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Officer MacLeod.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
John is the only officer of Crow Nation Tribal Police Department remembered here.
John is one of 93 officers killed feloniously in MT, 65.5% of the 142 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John 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 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
John was 44. Of the 81 killed feloniously in MT whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 47; the middle age was 39. John had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
John was 44. 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. John had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 44. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 12 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 1 deaths at Crow Nation Tribal Police Department. The weapon recorded was rifle, 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 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 13-W
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