Sheriff Tom A. Courtney

Tom A. Courtney

Sheriff Tom Courtney and Undersheriff Orson Burmeister were killed while attempting to arrest a man for disturbing the peace.

The man was known for carrying a gun and shot and killed them. When he realized escape was impossible, he surrendered and was placed in the town jail. The local residents broke down the jail doors and lynched him.

Sheriff Courtney had served with the agency for only four months and was survived by his father. He is buried in Antelope Catholic Cemetery in Sheridan County, Montana.