March 17, 1931 (Tuesday)
Missoula Merchant Policeman Alexander D. Ross was shot
and killed in front of 531 South
Higgins
while
escorting
a
prisoner
to
the
police
station.
He
had
arrested
the
man
after
observing
him
and
another
man
steal
gas
from
a
filling
station.
He
was
able
to
catch
one
of
the
men,
but
the
other
escaped.
As
he
walked
the
man
to
the
police
station,
the
man
produced
a
handgun
and
shot
Policeman
Ross
in
the
stomach.
He
was
taken
to
a
local
hospital
where
he
was
pronounced
dead.
The
assailant
was later shot and killed by police.