GREAT FALLS – The Great Falls Police Department (GFPD) has released the name of the officer who shot a homicide suspect in Shelby last month.
On April 22, GFPD’s High Risk Unit (HRU) helped the Toole County Sheriff’s Office in a homicide investigation and hostage situation.
According to law enforcement, a woman had been taken hostage at gunpoint.
The suspect, Richard Moench, secluded himself and the woman inside a home in Shelby.
GFPD-HRU was able to negotiate the woman’s safe release, but Moench would not respond anymore to negotiators.
According to GFPD, Moench fired several rounds at HRU members from the house.
Two officers were injured. They were treated, released and have since returned to their normal assigned duties.
GFPD says Officer Kevin Supalla shot Moench, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Officer Supalla is now on paid administrative leave.
The Montana Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation continues their inquiry into the shooting.
In a press release, GFPD included information regarding Supalla’s career. You can read below:
Supalla has been with the Great Falls Police Department for the past 6 years and is currently assigned to the Patrol Bureau. He is a graduate of the Montana Law Enforcement Academy, Basic Class 150. Supalla holds an Instructor Certificate and instructs in Defensive Tactics and DUI investigations. Supalla is also a Field Training Officer for the Great Falls Police Department, having trained many of our new police officers. He was selected to the Great Falls Police High Risk Unit in 2015. Upon his completion of Primary SWAT School, in October of 2015 he was assigned a position with the HRU Entry Team. Supalla has received commendations while with the GFPD to include; Paul Williams Inspiration Award (MLEA-2013), Cascade County DUI Task Force Officer of the Year (2014, 2015, 2017), GFPD Life Saving Award (2016, 2018).
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