Law Enforcement Community Responds to Big Horn County Sheriff Darrell King's Death
Today the Montana Highway Patrol (MHP) reported that on Sunday, November 19, at 5:05 p.m. the MHP investigated a two-vehicle fatality crash involving Big Horn County Sheriff Darrell King. The accident occurred on U.S. Highway 212 at milepost 2 in Big Horn County, four miles southeast of Crow Agency.
As part of the investigation, it was determined that a commercial motor vehicle and a privately owned passenger vehicle being driven by Sheriff King collided head-on. King was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the other vehicle sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The accident remains under investigation, but early evidence suggests Sheriff King’s vehicle crossed the centerline in an attempt to pass. Speed and impairment do not appear to be factors in the crash.
“I was saddened to hear of this recent tragedy and loss amongst the law enforcement community,” MHP Colonel Steve Lavin said. “Our deepest condolences go out to the family of Sheriff King and the Big Horn County Sheriff's Office.”
King, 55 years old, was sworn in as the Big Horn County Sheriff in January 2023 after being elected last year.
MTN reports that Sheriff King's mother Lucille Yarlott said her son spent most of his career in law enforcement after serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. King worked as a prosecutor in Lame Deer, Yarlott said, and was also employed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the La Paz County Sheriff's Office in Arizona during his career.
U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich issued the following statement today regarding King’s death:
“I was saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Big Horn County Sheriff Darrell King, who was a key partner to our office and all of our federal law enforcement agencies. On behalf of all of them, I offer our sincerest condolences to his family. His family should know that federal law enforcement held Sheriff King in the highest regard, and we will honor his legacy of kindness and diplomacy by working collaboratively with all of our partners to keep the people of Big Horn County, the Crow Tribe and Northern Cheyenne Tribe safe.”
Carbon County Sheriff Josh McQuillan shared that, “As neighboring agencies, we’ve worked well together on several occasions. I valued Darrell’s professionalism and his dedication to the safety of our citizens.” McQuillan recalled, “Darrell’s personal involvement on a few Carbon County cases proved invaluable. He was a good law enforcement officer and a good working partner, but most of all he was a good man. He will be missed. My deepest personal sympathies and those of the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office go out to his family and the communities he served.”