Sheriff Darrell King Obituary

Darrell D. King, 55 of Kirby, MT passed away on November 19, 2023 in a vehicle accident.  He was born April 30, 1968, a son to Lucille and Alvin Oliver Yarlott, Sr. and Rudolph King, Jr., in Billings, MT.  Darrell is both a Crow and Northern Cheyenne Tribal member.  He was an enrolled Crow and belonged to the Big Lodge Clan.  His Crow Indian name Deaxkaashxiassee (Outstanding Eagle) was given to him by his adopted grandfather, the late John Half.  His Cheyenne Indian name was “Hoxovena’hane” (Kills Across) given to him by a WII Veteran and grandfather, the late Harry Little Bird. The given name was a tradition among Cheyenne when returning from war.  Darrell graduated from Saint Labre High School in 1986 with honors.  While still in high school he took college courses at the University of Colorado Boulder and The School of Surface Mining at Colorado Springs, CO. He was honored to be recruited by the Air Force Academy to become a Cadet, the first ever selection made nationwide.  Unfortunately, he refused and enlisted in the Marine Corp. He was deployed to serve overseas at Okinawa, Japan and Seoul, Korea.  He then served in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm.  After his Honorable Discharge he began his Law Enforcement Career.  He graduated from Federal Law Enforcement Training Center at Mirana, AZ., as the Honor Graduate and Platoon Leader.  Darrell received certificates in advanced Law Enforcement training through the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, US Police Academy; F.B.I., Dallas PD, and BIA office of Law Enforcement Services.  With the training he received he held the following positions - Supervisory Enforcement Officer, Defensive Tactics Instructor, Forensic Child Interviewer, Evidence Room Management, Crimes against Children Comprehensive Investigative Techniques, Reid Interviewer/Interrogator, Active Shooter/Threat Tactical Responder, Critical Incident Debriefer.  While working for BIA he was detailed to several agencies around the country.  He was also the bugler for the American Legion and the Morning Star Chapter Honor Guard.  

Darrell worked for the Crow Coal Regulatory Office, at Crow Agency, as an Inspector for the mines at Westmoreland for several years. When the elections were open for the Sheriff of Big Horn County, people of Big Horn County asked him to run.  He was a proud winner of the position and it showed in his work.  His mentor was his grandfather, the late Big Horn County Sheriff, Larson Medicine Horse, Sr.

Darrell was taking Flying Lessons from Sheridan College. He completed and was flying with his instructor. Darrell was to fly solo from Sheridan to Billings and back. That was placed on hold when the forest fires erupted and all small aircrafts were in dire need and to run for Sheriff of Big Horn County.

As a Big Horn County Sheriff, Darrell understood the complexities surrounding jurisdictional and sovereignty within the Crow Reservation, Northern Cheyenne Reservation and Big Horn County.  He was currently working with those issues to come up with solutions to improve the response to incidents to better benefit the residents of Big Horn County. 

Darrell was the great-great grandson of the Northern Cheyenne Chief Labon Little Wolf and also a relative of Senator Ben “Night Horse” Campbell. He addressed him as Grandpa.

Darrell was married and later divorced. He married Mary Bearquiver on November 7, 2012, in Las Vegas, NV.  Darrell was an avid Minnesota Vikings and Saint Labre Braves fan.

He was preceded in death by a son, George Little Light, sister, BreeAnn King, brother, Franklin Red Wolf, aunts, Juanita Buffalo-Blue Thunder and Alma (Thomas) DeCrane, uncles, Thomas Walks, Dennis Buffalo, Raymond King, and Leonard Elkshoulder, Sr., grandparents, James and Mildred (LaForge) Buffalo, Daniel Walks, Rudolph King, Sr., Eva Littlewolf-King, Eugene and Maude (Morrison) Yarlott.

Survivors include his parents, his wife, traditional adopted mother, Pearl (Larry) Tobacco, daughters, Delphine King, Kateri (Brandon) Flatmouth, and Samantha McCloud, a son, Garrett McCloud, grandchildren, Gunner, Sis, Izzy and Leroy, brothers, Rudolph “Woods” (Mary) King, III, Alvin (Letonne) Yarlott, Jr., traditional adopted brother, Mark Denny, other brothers, Leonard Jr. (Deb), Curtis, John and Mike Elkshoulder,

JC (Mandy) DeCrane, Josh (Lanie) Buffalo, Lance and Cameron (April) Tobacco, David (Shonna) Walks and Sheldon King, Jr., sisters, Karen Jean and Kim (Ralph Chavez) Yarlott, TonyAnn (Jon) Bell, Roseanna (Mark) Denny, Angel (Jason) Shigley, Candace and Vicki Elkshoulder, and Meredith (Rob) McConnell, aunts, Arnetta and Theda Walks, Delmyrna, Tina Yarlott, Marcia (Benito) Brown, Tori (Oliver) Half, and Julie Elk Shoulder, uncles, Manford, Clinton, Conrad and Ira (Beverly) Walks, Benito Brown, John (Lavern) and Gary Buffalo, grandmother, Patty Medicine Horse, nieces and nephews, Micah (Alyssia), Alissa (Mike), Anisha, Kylee Jean, BreeAnn, Ryan, Rudolph IV, Jordan, Lily, Calista,  Austin, Wyatt, Coby, Tala, Isaiah, Mitchell, Jon, Kylee Sioux, Kwesi, Thomas, Ethan “Rock”, Dawson, Grace and Caidence.

Darrell leaves behind his faithful companion Raji (Chow/Australian Shepherd mix).

He is also survived by many close friends, too many to mention.  

Extended Family:  Descendants of Thomas and Julia (High Hawk) Medicine Horse, descendants of George and Emma Kennawash Walks, LaForge (Bouyer), Buffalo, King, Elk Shoulder, Little Wolf, One Bear and Little Bird families.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Sheriff Jeramie Middlestead, the Big Horn County Sheriff Deputies and the Hardin City Officers for the guarding of our beloved Darrell, 24/7, and for the tremendous outpouring of support that we have received. 

Please except our apologies if we forgot to mention anyone in our time of grief.

Cards may be sent to Bullis Mortuary, PO Box 318, Hardin, MT 59034