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William Rader
Incident
Special Deputy William Rader was shot and killed as he and a posse attempted to arrest two men who were wanted on larceny warrants out of Wyoming. The suspects had been involved in a shootout with a posse days earlier but had escaped. When the second posse located them, another shootout ensued in which Special Deputy Rader was wounded. The suspects were again able to escape but were located two days later. Deputy James Mackay was shot and killed during a third shootout. The suspects escaped for a third time. The suspect who was identified as shooting Deputy Mackay was arrested in Needles, California, in 1895. He was returned to Meagher County, convicted of Deputy Mackay's murder, and hung on December 20, 1895. A second suspect was hanged in Helena, Montana June 8, 1896. Special Deputy Rader had also served as Sherriff of Meagher County. He is buried at Mayn Cemetery in White Sulpher Springs, Montana.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
133 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Special Deputy Sheriff Rader served with the Meagher County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the White Sulphur Spring community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Meagher County Sheriff's Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 93 officers killed feloniously in MT, 65.5% of the 142 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William 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 1893, 2 officers in MT were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 58 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 6.
In 1893, 76 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 92nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1893, 81 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 87th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 40. Of the 81 killed feloniously in MT whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 47; the middle age was 39.
William was 40. 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.
William was 40. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
May holds 5.4% of these deaths in MT; December holds the most, 15.1%. Tuesdays: 16.1%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Meagher County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, 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 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Meagher County Sheriff's Department has 3 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 34-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Meagher County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
