Montana Deputy Sheriff Shot and Killed During Traffic Stop
THREE FORKS MT May 16 2017
A Broadwater County Sheriff’s deputy was shot and killed during a traffic stop early Tuesday morning near Three Forks, on MT 287, south of I90.
Two men, one from Gallatin County, were later apprehended by Butte Silver-Bow Sheriff’s Office and are in custody in Missoula County.
According to law enforcement, the deputy had pulled a vehicle over in what’s described as a “routine stop” at approximately 3 a.m. He had called the incident into dispatchers, but then never called back. A Gallatin County Sheriff deputy then responded and found the deputy dead.
A BOLO alert was issued statewide and eventually, MHP spotted the vehicle near Anaconda. Again, a pursuit began westbound on interstate 90. The vehicle was spike striped at mile marker 162 in Powell County but was able to continue on I-90. Missoula County local law enforcement officers were getting updates as the chase drew closer to Missoula County and were ready to help.
About 35 miles east of Missoula, the suspect began firing at law enforcement. The vehicle eventually came to rest just east of Rock Creek.
The passenger exited the vehicle and began shooting at multiple officers. The suspect was shot and transported to the hospital, while the driver was taken into custody without incident. Interstate 90 westbound is currently closed while evidence is collected.
At this time, Highway 287 from I-90 to MT 2 is closed out of Three Forks as the investigation continues. Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office say the highway is expected to be closed all morning. The westbound offramp at 287 is closed at this time
Lewis and Clark Sheriff’s Office is assisting with the investigation. Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, Park County Sheriff’s Office, Lewis and Clark Sheriff’s Office, Broadwater County Sheriff’s Office and Montana Highway Patrol all have responded to the incident.
Lewis and Clark Sheriff’s Office is handling calls for Broadwater County at this time.
The shooting occurred less than a mile from the Trooper David DeLaittre Memorial Park. DeLaittre was an MHP trooper shot and killed in the line of duty.
