In the winter chill of New Year's Eve, 1912, in Butte, Montana, a male railroad detective named Colin McMillan, age 30, lost his life in the line of duty. His death was the culmination of a dispute that began over stolen brass and escalated into violent retribution. A local man, seeking revenge against a business rival who had reported him to the police, went to the rival's home at 516 South Wyoming Street.
Through a window, he opened fire on the man as he sat at a table with his children.
Following the shooting, a friend of the wounded man gave chase to the assailant. The commotion drew the attention of Detective McMillan, who was on duty at the nearby Northern Pacific Depot. As McMillan confronted the fleeing suspect, he was fatally shot.
In the aftermath of the violence that claimed the life of the railroad detective and left another man wounded, the authorities launched an investigation. The efforts of law enforcement led to the arrest of two individuals who were subsequently held in connection with both the murder of Detective McMillan and the attempted murder of the business rival.
