The framed pictures, commendations and recognitions are now gone from the walls of Butte-Silver Bow Undersheriff Mark St. Pierre’s third-floor office.
On Dec. 4, St. Pierre, who has worked in Butte Law Enforcement for 34 years, turned off the lights in his office and shut the door for the last time. But not before the solemn tradition of “last call,” which could be heard over the police scanner, was held just after 3 p.m. outside the Butte Detention Center.
St. Pierre sat in his police cruiser one last time during the brief but moving ceremony.
“It’s time to walk away,” St. Pierre said of his retirement.
Butte-Silver Bow Undersheriff Mark St. Pierre retired Dec. 4 after 34 years.
A graduate of the Montana Law Enforcement Academy, St. Pierre was sworn in as a police officer in December 1991. Since then, he rose through the ranks — from sergeant to lieutenant, detective to SWAT officer, and from SWAT team leader to its commander. By the fall of 2022, he had a new title, undersheriff.
St. Pierre got into law enforcement because he wanted to make a difference.
“I wanted to help those who couldn’t help themselves,” he said.
Early on, the undersheriff had to remove those rose-colored glasses when he concluded that would not always be the case.
“You realize that you can’t do everything, but even so, you would like to think you have made a difference,” he said.
Last call for Undersheriff Mark St. Pierre
Butte-Silver Bow Sheriff Ed Lester said St. Pierre has made a difference.
“Mark is one of the best cops I’ve ever met,” he said.
Lester has worked with St. Pierre for 34 years and said the two have been through a lot together.
“There are times we laughed uncontrollably, and at times, we were absolutely terrified by whatever we experienced,” the sheriff said. “Those are bonds you just don’t have with most people.”
St. Pierre said the most valuable lesson he learned in his years in law enforcement was to maintain a strong work ethic.
From day one, he said he saw his fellow officers’ dedication to their jobs and wanted to emulate them.
“I wanted to be a contributing member of the crew,” said St. Pierre. “The work ethic I witnessed was contagious and helped me throughout my career.”
Jeff Miller had a 19-year career with Butte Law Enforcement before retiring in December 2003 to serve as B-SB fire chief.
This wooden artwork was displayed on a wall in Undersheriff Mark St. Pierre’s office. The number ’44’ is his badge number.
Miller spent 12 years working alongside St. Pierre and saw his dedication numerous times.
“Mark is a stellar police officer and just a really good person,” said Miller.
Miller said St. Pierre was tough as nails but treated people well, no matter the circumstance.
“Mark could deescalate things without using force,” said Miller. “He had a great demeanor.”
St. Pierre’s law enforcement career has ended but the friendships he has made through the years will remain. He said he will miss the camaraderie he shared with his fellow officers.
“You bond with certain officers and build friendships that will remain even after I leave,” said St. Pierre. “They are like brothers to me.”
One of those “brothers” is Sheriff Lester.
“If there was a door I had to go through and something bad was waiting on the other side, Mark would be one of the officers I’d take with me,” he said. “There is no higher praise for an officer.”
St. Pierre, who turns 63 on Christmas day, has no plans to rest on his laurels. He has things to do.
“I want to enjoy life,” he said.
An outdoorsman, he plans to continue hiking, skiing and camping. More importantly, he wants to spend more time with his family.
There’s one potential hobby St. Pierre wants to take up come spring.
“I’m going to learn to fly fish,” he said. “That’s one of my goals.”
