Hi-Line pays tribute to undersheriff

People line up along 1st Street as area law enforcement officers and agents wail the sirens on their vehicles as they drive through Havre Thursday evening to Chinook in honor of Blaine County Undersheriff Pat Pyette. Pyette died Wednesday after being struck by a vehicle while directing traffic on U.S. Highway 2 east of Chinook.

In the day after Blaine County Undersheriff Patrick Pyette died, all of the respect and admiration he earned in his life came pouring in from family and friends, acquaintances and associates.

As news spread, the Havre Daily News heard condolences and questions coming in from all over the state and beyond.

Media outlets in Billings and Great Falls wanted to know more about the Hi-Line's loss. The HavreDailyNews.com article shot up the "Most Discussed" article list, above stories with months of discussion, with 31 comments from sympathetic readers and from Pyette's many admirers.

Dale J. Aschim, East Helena police chief, who knew Pyette from the Montana Law Enforcement Academy, said on Thursday, "I am at a loss for words. Pat was one of the finest, most respected, honest, down to earth law enforcement officers I have ever known.

"I was his training officer at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy. " Aschim said. "He always had a smile and even after time went by if he seen me he made a point to come and chat with his old TO.

"Undersheriff/Brother Pat Pyette you will be so-so missed. My prayers go out to Pats family and all of my Brothers and Sisters on the highline. "

A man posting as Major Eugene J. Maxwell, Chinook High, Class of 1980, wrote of his fellow servicemen, "RIP Pat!

"All of us in Law Enforcement are praying for your family, " he said.

"Undersheriff Pat Pyette, End of Watch Dec 14, 2011, We've got if from here! " Maxwell wrote.

Maxwell wasn't the only serviceman paying tribute to one of the fallen.

When Pyette was brought back from Benefis Hosptial in Great Falls to Chinook on Thursday afternoon, every law enforcement department between the two locations came out to show support in a two-hour procession of vehicles that included the Montana Highway Patrol, the sheriff's offices of Blaine, Hill, Chouteau and Cascade counties, and police departments in Havre, Fort Belknap and more.

For those who wish to pay their own respects, a funeral service has been scheduled for Monday at 11 a. m. in the Chinook High School gymnasium. A reception will be announced later today.

Following the service, Pyette will be buried in Kuper Memorial Cemetery.

Montana Highway Patrol are still investigating the incident that resulted in Pyette's death.