Leading the way from the funeral to the burial, a procession of dozens of vehicles entered the cemetery. The long-time sheriff was given a hero's burial with an American flag laid across his casket and an Honor Guard 21-gun salute. Hundreds of law enforcement officers from the city, county and state attended. As a sign of mourning law enforcement officers wore black bands over their badges.

Sheriff Maxwell came to the department in 1977. He won landslide elections from 1994 through 2006. In 1999 he was made U.S. law enforcement "Officer of the Year." And just two weeks ago, his peers awarded him with the Montana Sheriff's and Peace Officer's Association "Distinguished Career" award.

Maxwell served in law enforcement for more than 45 years. Before the end of the burial service Wednesday mourners and law enforcement officers on duty said good bye to Maxwell with a moment of silence at the cemetery that was also broadcast over the police scanner.