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Incident
Patrolman Pettit was accidentally shot by another officer's gun. Patrolman Pettit was attaching a container to a fumigating device when another officer who was helping him bent down and his .38-caliber revolver slipped from his shoulder holster and hit the cement floor. The gun fired and Patrolman Pettit was hit by a bullet that passed through his stomach and liver. He was rushed to the hospital and doctors operated, but the wound proved fatal. He died the next day from the gunshot. Patrolman Pettit had served with the Billings Police Department for 19 years. He was survived by his wife and three children,
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.
Patrolman Pettit gave the Billings Police Department 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the Billings community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Pettit.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Billings Police Department has lost 4 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Arthur is one of 34 officers lost to accidents in MT, 23.9% of the 142 remembered there.
Arthur is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Arthur is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1935, 1 officer in MT was lost to accidents, the 6th heaviest of 29 years on record. The heaviest was 1895, with 2.
In 1935, 99 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 8th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1935, 107 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 9th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Arthur was 61. Of the 30 lost to accidents in MT whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 53.8; the middle age was 47. Arthur had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 8.5 years.
Arthur was 61. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Arthur had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Arthur was 61. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Arthur had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 17.6% of these deaths in MT, more than any other month. Saturdays: 23.5%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 25% of all 4 deaths at Billings Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 23.9% of all 142 deaths in MT, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Billings Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Arthur among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 25-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Billings Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
