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Incident
Senior Officer Shane Chadwick was shot and killed while responding to a noise complaint in an alley behind the Leland Apartments on 8th Street, between 1st Avenue North and Central Avenue, at about 4:30 am. The subject was a mentally ill man known locally as the "Birdman." He was shoveling birdseed to hundreds of birds causing them to make lots of noise. As Officer Chadwick approached the subject the man suddenly turned and shot at him with two 9 mm handguns in an ambush. The man was later shot and killed by a police sniper. Officer Chadwick had served with the Great Falls Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son.
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.
Senior Officer Chadwick gave the Great Falls Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Great Falls community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Senior Officer Chadwick.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Great Falls Police Department has lost 6 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Shane is one of 93 officers killed feloniously in MT, 65.5% of the 142 remembered there.
Shane is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Shane 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 1994, 1 officer in MT was killed feloniously, the 25th heaviest of 58 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 6.
In 1994, 93 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1994, 99 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 63rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Shane was 29. Of the 81 killed feloniously in MT whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 47; the middle age was 39. Shane had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Shane was 29. 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. Shane had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Shane was 29. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Shane had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 6.5% of these deaths in MT; December holds the most, 15.1%. Wednesdays: 15.1%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 6 deaths at Great Falls Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 65.5% of all 142 deaths in MT, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 22.6% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Great Falls Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, Shane among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 37-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Great Falls Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
