Sweet Grass County Sheriff's Department, Montana
End of Watch: Wednesday, August 24, 1932
Age:
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: August 24, 1932
Weapon Used: Rifle
Suspect Info: Committed suicide
Undersheriff Whitsel was shot and killed while he and the sheriff searched for a suicidal man. The two officers were on horseback and riding a remote trail in Blind Bridger Canyon when they were ambushed by the man with a rifle. Both men were struck and Undersheriff Whitsel was mortally wounded. Although wounded, the sheriff was able to go for help. The body of the suspect was found a short time later suffering from a self inflicted gunshot wound.