Patrolman Richard E. Hedstrom
Montana Highway Patrol
Montana
End of Watch: Thursday, July 19, 1973

Biographical Info
Age: 24
Tour of Duty: 2 weeks
Badge Number: 307

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Date of Incident: Thursday, July 19, 1973
Weapon Used: Automobile; Alcohol involved
Suspect Info: Killed in accident

Patrolman Hedstrom was struck and killed by a drunk driver during a traffic stop in Columbia Falls, Montana. He was writing a warning for a malfunctioning headlight and his training officer was sitting in the patrol car when it was struck from behind by a pickup truck at 87 mph. The impact pushed the patrol car into Patrolman Hedstrom, causing fatal injuries. The driver of the truck was to be charged with negligent homicide but died of injuries sustained in the accident.

Patrolman Hedstrom had only been with the agency for 18 days.