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Incident
Sheriff Garfield succumbed to wounds received two weeks earlier while investigating a complaint on a rancher by the man's neighbor. As Sheriff Garfield knocked on the door the rancher opened fire with a shotgun, seriously wounding him. Sheriff Garfield attempted to drive back to town, but his patrol car's gas tank was also struck by the shotgun blast and his car ran out of gas. He was able to make it back to town after getting help from a railroad work crew. He succumbed to his wounds in a Billings hospital two weeks later. The suspect was burned to death by a posse who set fire to his house after he opened fire on them and refused to surrender. Sheriff Garfield had been with the agency for six months. His wife was appointed Sheriff to complete his un-expired term.
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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.
Sheriff Garfield served with the Golden Valley County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Ryegate community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Garfield.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Golden Valley County Sheriff's Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Jesse is one of 93 officers killed feloniously in MT, 65.5% of the 142 remembered there.
Jesse is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Jesse 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 1920, 4 officers in MT were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 58 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 6.
In 1920, 209 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1920, 396 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Jesse was 37. Of the 81 killed feloniously in MT whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 47; the middle age was 39. Jesse had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Jesse was 37. 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. Jesse had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jesse was 37. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Jesse had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
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 Golden Valley County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun, 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 shotgun, in 2.2% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Golden Valley County Sheriff's Department has 2 officers remembered here, Jesse among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 42-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Golden Valley County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
