BILLINGS, Mont. — A recent attack on a police officer in Billings has raised alarms about the growing dangers law enforcement faces while on duty. The incident occurred Wednesday when Officer Hope Reid was seriously injured while responding to a report of a man armed with a knife, who was trespassing in a downtown parking garage.
The officer’s confrontation with the suspect, identified as 28-year-old John Smells, resulted in a violent altercation that has heightened concerns among the Billings Police Department. This year, the department reported a staggering 825 aggravated assaults, with 37 of those involving attacks on law enforcement officers—nearly three times the 13 assaults recorded in 2023.
Lt. Samantha Puckett, in a recent interview, emphasized the escalating nature of these incidents. “We’re seeing our suspects injure our officers when they’re trying to be placed under arrest,” she noted, highlighting the grave risks officers encounter daily.
During the altercation, surveillance footage revealed that Smells pushed Reid down a flight of stairs, subsequently striking her head against the concrete. He attempted to wrestle her firearm away before she managed to defend herself. “The location of the incident significantly contributed to the severity of Officer Reid’s injuries,” Puckett said.
Smells faces two felony counts related to the assault and has pleaded not guilty. At his arraignment, Yellowstone County Attorney Scott Twito detailed the brutal nature of the attack, while Judge Jeanne Walker set bail at $200,000, describing the circumstances as “atrocious” and calling for a serious response.
Reid, a dedicated officer with four years of service, was treated at a local hospital and has since been released. The incident serves as a painful reminder of the increasing violence toward police, an issue that Billings Police Chief Rich St. John addressed in April’s annual report. “People are obstructing, they’re resisting, and they’re assaulting our officers. And that’s not acceptable,” he stated.
The department remains committed to training its officers in multiple facets of use of force, aiming to prepare them for the unpredictable challenges they may encounter. “Our first step is always trying to de-escalate the situation verbally,” Puckett explained, underscoring the importance of communication in tense confrontations.
This alarming trend of violence against law enforcement not only poses immediate risks to officers but also raises broader questions about safety in the community. As incidents like these continue to rise, both the police and community members are called to reflect on the current state of public safety and the protection of those who serve.