Special Agent Paul Albro Read

Paul Albro Read

Special Agent Paul Read was shot and killed in Missoula, Montana.

He had gone there after receiving a tip that a bar at the corner of Broadway Street and Higgins Avenue was serving illegal alcohol during prohibition. He entered the bar and purchased a beer. After being served he arrested the proprietor.

Special Agent Read had locked his service weapon in the glove box prior to entering the bar and did not search or handcuff the suspect before placing him in his vehicle for the trip to the county jail. As they pulled up to the jail the suspect pulled out a concealed revolver and shot Agent Read three times.

The subject was sentenced to death, but the sentence was later commuted to life in prison.

Special Agent Read's son and grandson both followed in Agent Read's footsteps and became law enforcement officers in Montana.