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Incident
Undersheriff Bitle was shot and killed as he attempted to arrest cattle thieves. A father and son were arrested and charged with murder. The father was found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to 10 years.
Survivors
Undersheriff Bitle was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Undersheriff Bitle served with the Rosebud County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Forsyth community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Undersheriff Bitle.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Rosebud County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Orville is one of 93 officers killed feloniously in MT, 65.5% of the 142 remembered there.
Orville is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Orville is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1911, 3 officers in MT were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 58 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 6.
In 1911, 149 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1911, 150 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Orville was 36. Of the 81 killed feloniously in MT whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 47; the middle age was 39.
Orville was 36. 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.
Orville was 36. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
December holds 15.1% of these deaths in MT, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.1%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.3%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Rosebud County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was gun, 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 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 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Rosebud County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Orville among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 28-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Rosebud County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
