Montana Deputy Shot and Killed at Traffic Stop

A Broadwater County, MT, sheriff’s deputy was shot and killed in a shootout during a traffic stop early Tuesday morning on MT 287, south of Interstate 90.

The Broadwater County Sheriff’s Office has identified Mason Moore as the deputy who was killed. Deputy Moore was a three-year veteran of the Broadwater County Sheriff's Office. He was a husband and a father of three children, reports KECI .

According to law enforcement, the deputy had pulled a vehicle over in what’s described as a “routine stop” at approximately 3 a.m. He had called the incident in to dispatchers, but then never called back.

A Gallatin County deputy then responded and found the deputy dead, KTVQ TV reports.

A BOLO alert was issued statewide and eventually a Montana Highway Patrol trooper spotted the vehicle near Anaconda. A pursuit ensued. It ended with the passenger being shot by law enforcement in a gunfight. The wounded suspect was taken to the hospital. The driver surrendered without incident.

Butte-Silver Bow Sheriff Ed Lester said in a press release the suspects were firing at officers with at least one semi-automatic rifle.  Gunfire damaged patrol cars, making at least two inoperable, reports KECI .

Lester reports one of the suspects was wounded in the head as officers returned gunfire.  The second suspect has a gunshot-related injury to his hand. Both suspects, 61-year-old Lloyd Barrus and 38-year-old Marshall Barrus, are in custody.