Holly MatkinHelena, MT – Helena Police Department (HPD) Assistant Chief Curtis “Curt” Stinson died on Oct. 15, following a valiant three-month battle against cancer.
The 49-year-old assistant police chief began treatment after being diagnosed with cancer in July, KXLH reported.
He passed away at St. Peter’s Hospital at approximately 9 p.m. on Oct. 15, surrounded by his family, according to the 406 Back the Blue Facebook page.
“It is with great sadness that we inform you that Assistant Chief Curt Stinson passed away,” the HPD confirmed in a Facebook post on Oct. 19. “We are honored to have worked beside him and will miss him greatly.”
Assistant Chief Stinson graduated from Montana State University with a degree in sociology before he joined the HPD in 1995, according to his obituary.
He began serving as second-in-command of the HPD in September of 2020.
“As we grieve this tremendous loss, we also remember the person Curt was kind, compassionate, caring, loved his family through and through, and set the standards to which any officer could look up to,” the department said. “His laughter and love of the [Montana State University] Bobcats will be missed in the hallways of the HPD.”
“We ask that you keep Curt’s family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time,” the agency’s post read.
HPD Chief Steve Hagen said Assistant Chief Stinson’s passing marks the first death of an active-duty member of the department in at least 30 years, KXLH reported.
“I know everybody says it, but Curt truly was an inspiring human being,” Chief Hagen said. “He cared very much about this community, was very active both inside the department and outside the department, in the community, in his church and all those kinds of things. Curt dedicated 27 years of his life to serving this community, and I think that should be honored.”
Assistant Chief Stinson leaves behind his wife of 25 years, Christine, as well as his children, Brandon, Danielle, and Taylor, according to his obituary.
“To say that Curt was a proud father is an understatement. Curt lived for his kids,” the tribute read. “Curt taught his children to stand up for what they believe in, to be strong in their convictions, and to love unconditionally. He was fiercely proud of his children and their activities and the choices they have made in life.”
Assistant Chief Stinson is also survived by his mother, brother, niece, and nephew.
His memorial service was held on Monday.
Somber day in Helena as the community pays respects to @HelenaMTPolice's Curt Stinson. pic.twitter.com/9cjrywg1ob
— John Riley MTN (@MTJohnRiley) October 25, 2021
Law enforcement vehicles are parked at Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds for funeral services for Curt Stinson, the assistant chief for Helena Police Department. pic.twitter.com/0YfdBoRiEq
— Phil Drake (@IR_PhilDrake) October 25, 2021
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Helena Police Department Assistant Chief Curtis “Curt” Stinson, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
Sandy Malone
