Missoula Police Department, Montana
End of Watch: Friday, February 12, 2010
Age: 47
Tour of Duty: 7 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: October 21, 1998
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Police Officer Bob Heinle succumbed to complications from a gunshot wound suffered 11 years earlier.
On October 21st, 1998, he had responded to a local bank after receiving reports of a man attempting to cash a forged check. When he arrived at the location he located the man outside and chased him on foot when the man fled. A short distance away the man opened fire, striking Officer Heinle once in the neck.
The wound caused Officer Heinle to become paralyzed from the neck down. He continued to suffer complications from the wound and passed away as a result of those complications on February 12th, 2010.
The man who shot Officer Heinle was convicted of several charges after the initial shooting, including attempted murder, and was sentenced to life in prison.
At the time of the shooting, Officer Heinle had served with the Missoula Police Department for seven years. He is survived by his wife, brother, & sister.