Montana Law Enforcement Museum

212 E. Broadway
Philipsburg, MT 59858
(406) 859-6536

Patrolman Stephen Carl Shaffer

Dillon Police Department

Department Patch

Patrolman Stephen Shaffer was struck and killed by a drunken driver during a traffic stop. Patrolman Shaffer informed dispatch that he was investigating a possible drunk driver passed out on Selway Drive. As he approached the parked car, he turned on his top lights, exited his vehicle and spoke to the drunken driver outside of the car. As he was speaking with the intoxicated driver, another drunken driver approaching from the opposite direction struck the parked car and the patrol car, killing Patrolman Shaffer and the passed out driver. The suspect was apprehended and found guilty on two counts of negligent homicide. He was sentenced to 20 years for each count to run concurrently. Patrolman Shaffer had served with the agency for eight years and was survived by his parents and sister.

End of Watch:
February 14, 1981
On the Force:
8 years