Vigilantes are an often revered part of Montana’s history. From Absarokee to Zurich, tales are told to elementary, middle-school, and high-school students about “vigilante justice” that was nothing if not swift. Helena, the capital, even boasts its own tribute to the vigilantes with a “Vigilantes Day” including a parade and other events. But perhaps the greatest tribute Montana has given them is the symbol 3-7-77 on the patch worn by Montana Highway Patrol troopers across the state. The numbers were added to the patch in 1956 and added a final gloss of respectability to the actions of the original law enforcement group. Promoted to chief administrator that year, Alex Stephenson personally designed the new insignia as a tribute to law and order. “We chose the symbol,” he explained later, “to keep alive the memory of this first people’s police force.”
This mysterious combination of numbers has captured the imagination of students of early Montana law enforcement ever since the old-timers who knew its significance refused to reveal it. The original Vigilantes took an oath of secrecy which was strictly observed through the death of the very last one of them. There are many explanations that have been explored over the years, and while their true meaning remains a mystery, one thing is clear. Those numbers struck fear into the hearts of those who found them tacked upon their doors.
The most widely accepted theory today is that the numbers represent the dimensions of a grave: 3 feet wide, 7 feet deep, and 77 inches (6 feet 5 inches) long. The idea behind this is that if the “Road Agent” did not leave town within a given amount of time (3 hours, 7 minutes, 77 seconds), they would find themselves in such a grave.
Another theory is that the numbers represent certain persons in the group from their earlier days in the mining camps of California. Most of the Vigilantes came from California and followed the gold from there to Montana. Many of the Montana miners had belonged to vigilante organizations in California where only numbers were used. This theory indicates that three prominent California vigilantes (3, 7, and 77) came to Montana and offered their expertise. This same theory applies to Colorado as well.
A third theory explains that the numbers signify the vocations of persons involved in the organization: 3 lawyers, 7 merchants, and 77 miners.
Perhaps one of the most well-known theories is that the Vigilantes were formed by the Masonic order. In this theory, 3 represents the number present at the first Masonic meeting in Montana, 7 the quorum, and 77 signified the number of Masons present at the first activity in the Territory, the funeral of Brother William Bell (Bell was the 77th Mason present).
Each theory is credible. Regardless of its meaning, however, 3-7-77 is emblematic of the first organized law enforcement in Montana. The Montana Highway Patrol, in adopting this early symbol, honors the first men in the Montana Territory who organized for the safety and welfare of the people. For that same reason, the Association of Montana Troopers has carried on that tradition by placing the legendary 3-7-77 on their patch as well.
FAQs
What do the numbers 3 7 77 mean? ›
The numbers represent the date the Vigilante Oath was signed in Bannack, Montana, the first seat of Justice in the state. This claim is perpetuated by a supposed oath, dated March 7, 1877, that hangs on the wall of the Masonic Lodge 3-7-77 in Bannack.
What is 3 7 77 freemasons? ›In this theory, 3 represents the number present at the first Masonic meeting in Montana, 7 the quorum, and 77 signified the number of Masons present at the first activity in the Territory, the funeral of Brother William Bell (Bell was the 77th Mason present).
How much do Montana state troopers make? ›How much does a State Trooper make in Montana? As of Jun 13, 2023, the average annual pay for a State Trooper in Montana is $46,975 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $22.58 an hour. This is the equivalent of $903/week or $3,914/month.
What is the vigilante oath? ›We the undersigned uniting ourselves together for the laudable purpose of arresting thieves and murderers and recovering stolen property, do pledge ourselves on our sacred honor, each to all others and solemnly swear that we will reveal no secrets, violate no laws of right and never desert each other or our standard of ...
What is 77 trying to tell me? ›What Is 77 Trying To Tell Me? The 77 number is trying to tell you that your path is aligning. You may feel that in your spirit, change is coming, and yet it's your life path all along.
Why is 77 an important number? ›In certain numerological systems based on the English alphabet, the number 77 is associated with Jesus Christ. CHRIST is C = 3, H = 8, R = 18, I = 9, S = 19, T = 20, which added together equal 77. 'Liber 77' is the gematrian name for Liber OZ- a brief but popular publication by Aliester Crowley.
What is the highest paid State Trooper? ›The average salaries for state troopers can vary significantly, depending on the state. State troopers in California and Georgia generally earn the highest salaries, while troopers in South Carolina earn the lowest.
What is the best paying police department in Montana? ›The best city in Montana for Police Department salaries is Miles City with an average annual salary of $1,739 (3.4%) above the $50,472.
What is the highest paid law enforcement in Montana? ›| Job Title | Annual Salary | Monthly Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Motor Carrier Enforcement | $85,602 | $7,133 |
| International Law Enforcement | $72,753 | $6,062 |
| National Law Enforcement Museum | $67,706 | $5,642 |
| Law Enforcement Software | $67,687 | $5,640 |
Regardless of your intention, vigilantism is illegal. Further, it is generally understood that acts of vigilantism are committed in the name of revenge. Revenge means that the act was aggravated, and is therefore considered to be a worse offense than committing the act for no reason.
Is vigilantism evil? ›
Note: Vigilantes CANNOT be Pure Evil as they are part of anti-villainous alignments whose goals are at least even remotely noble.
How many state troopers are in Montana? ›The Patrol's 243 patrol officers cover great distances to police Montana's highways, assist other law enforcement agencies, and help motorists in need.
What does the G mean in a Masonic ring? ›The letter G is meant to remind Freemasons that all our lives and actions are performed in the presence of God, The Grand Architect.
What does the G mean for Mason? ›G. – Grand; sometimes read as Great. It also alludes to God, geometry or the Great Architect of the Universe. G.A.O.T.U. – Grand Architect of the Universe.
What is the G of Masons? ›The Masonic Letter 'G' is a letter that represents God and Geometry. It is a reminder to every Freemason that every act they carry out is done in the presence of God, the Master Architect of the Universe.
What does 777 stand for? ›What does 777 mean? The angel number 777 is connected to the individual self, said Summers. Unlike others which are more focused on relationships, such as 222, the angel number 777 is about taking time to focus on yourself and to be alone. Is it in the stars? Free Daily and Monthly Horoscopes.
What does 7 mean spiritually? ›In the metaphysical philosophy of numerology, the number 7 signifies the Greek deity Athena and the Roman deity Minerva, both goddesses of war and the city protectress. People affiliated with the number seven are believed to be insightful, intuitive, truthful, introspective, intellectual, and wise.
What is the double meaning of 77? ›According to Sex expert Cynthia Gentry, author of The Bedside Orgasm Book,"The name 77 refers to the way you and your partner's bodies look when they meld together in this side entry position" Apparently it's like spooning but with one little added bonus- it hits the elusive love button the G-SPOT!!
Why is 7 the most powerful number? ›In the Bible, scholars claim that God created the world in six days and used the seventh day to rest. Because of this, the number seven is used to illustrate an idea of completeness throughout the Bible. In both Islam and Judaism, there are seven heavens.
Is number 77 good? ›The number 77 is often seen as a sign of success and wealth in the career sector. This means it has positive vibes for the right person. This integral number can be used to attract positive energy into your career and help you make the right decisions, achieve your goals, and have positive sign for your great work.
Is 77 a perfect number? ›
77 is not a perfect square, which means that it does not have a natural number as its square root. Square root of 77 cannot be expressed as a fraction of the form p/q. This indicates that the square root of 77 is an irrational number.
What is the lowest paid police officer? ›How Much Do Police Officer Jobs Pay per Year? $40,000 is the 25th percentile. Salaries below this are outliers. $62,000 is the 75th percentile.
What state pays cops the best? ›States With the Highest Average Salary for Patrol Officers
Alaska offers the highest average salary at $69,000 annually. California ($68,800), New Jersey ($68,100), Massachusetts ($67,000), and Connecticut ($66,600) complete the top five highest-paying states.
- San Jose, California. $125,960.
- $118,450.
- Napa, California. $116,010.
- Vallejo, California. $115,800.
- Santa Rosa, California. $106,050.
| State | Annual Salary | Weekly Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Montana | $32,768 | $630 |
| Mississippi | $32,316 | $621 |
| Connecticut | $32,170 | $618 |
| Maine | $32,047 | $616 |
- Baltimore Police Department. ...
- San Jose Police Department. ...
- Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. ...
- Metro Nashville Police Department. ...
- Aurora Police Department. ...
- Chicago Police Department. ...
- New Orleans Police Department. ...
- Dallas Police Department. Size: 1,001–5,000 employees.
| Years of experience | Per year |
|---|---|
| 1 to 2 years | $53,885 |
| 3 to 5 years | $60,932 |
| 6 to 9 years | - |
| More than 10 years | $89,179 |
How much does a Swat Team Member make in Montana? As of Jun 8, 2023, the average annual pay for a Swat Team Member in Montana is $42,391 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $20.38 an hour. This is the equivalent of $815/week or $3,532/month.
Who is the highest-paid public employee in Montana? ›Laurence Hubbard has been the longtime running president and CEO of the Montana State Fund. His salary is 881% higher than the average salary, which makes him the highest-paid employee in Montana.
What is the most powerful law enforcement in the US? ›The Department of Justice (DOJ) is responsible for most law enforcement duties at the federal level.
Who is the most famous vigilante? ›
Bernhard Goetz, in full Bernhard Hugo Goetz, Jr., (born November 7, 1947, Queens, New York, U.S.), American vigilante who rose to national fame when he shot four African American males on a New York City subway train on December 22, 1984.
Is the vigilante bulletproof? ›The armor of the Vigilante makes it almost immune to crashes. Its sole protection against ordinary rounds is bulletproof windows. However, it does not contain any kind of anti-explosive protection, meaning a single Homing Missile will destroy the Vigilante.
Are there any real life vigilante? ›From Marianne Bachmeier, the German mother who killed her daughter's murderer, to Jason Vukovich, the Alaskan man who beat up sex offenders, these are some of the most startling real-life vigilante stories in history.
What is the crime of vigilantism? ›In the United States, vigilantism is defined as acts which violate societal limits which are intended to defend and protect the prevailing distribution of values and resources from some form of attack or some form of harm.
Is vigilante a sociopath? ›Gunn continued, peeling back more layers into Vigilante's psyche. "He's a true sociopath. He doesn't seem to be able to pick up on emotions.
Who is a vigilante hero? ›A vigilante is a man or a woman who takes the law into their own hands (many vigilantes in fiction wear masks and capes - hence the popular title "masked avenger"), they can be similar to anti-heroes and tend to work outside the law as some of their methods includes murder or violence, also no matter how good their ...
What is Montana State police called? ›Montana Highway Patrol
The MHP is a progressive law enforcement agency using technology and training to provide exemplary service to the citizens of Montana.
In some places, they are limited to performing traffic services of ensuring safe roadways. Meanwhile, state police are a full-service law enforcement agency. They help patrol highways and assist with traffic accidents as well as address other types of crime.
What state has the most officers? ›- California has approximately 148,000 police officers.
- Texas has approximately 140,000 police officers.
- New York has approximately 126,000 police officers.
- Florida has approximately 93,000 police officers.
Life of Mystic — 7777
Seeing this number indicates that you are meant to live the life of a mystic. The Universe is guiding you to this path by showing you the number 7777.
What is the meaning of 3 7? ›
Fortnightly. 3/7 ago, 3/52 ago. 3 days ago, 3 weeks ago.
Why is 777 the number of God? ›Christianity. According to the American publication, the Orthodox Study Bible, 777 represents the threefold perfection of the Trinity.
What is the secret behind the number 7? ›In the Bible, scholars claim that God created the world in six days and used the seventh day to rest. Because of this, the number seven is used to illustrate an idea of completeness throughout the Bible. In both Islam and Judaism, there are seven heavens.
What does angel number 733 mean? ›Angel number 733 is a special number with a powerful message of guidance and encouragement from the divine realm. It suggests that you are on the right track in terms of your spiritual journey, and that new opportunities for growth and development are on the horizon.
What is 3 7 in the Bible? ›Verse. The seventh verse of the third chapter of the Gospel of John reads, "Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.
What does 7 mean in God? ›Seven was symbolic in ancient near eastern and Israelite culture and literature. It communicated a sense of “fullness” or “completeness” (שבע “seven” is spelled with the same consonants as the word שבע “complete/full”). This makes sense of the pervasive appearance of “seven” patterns in the Bible.
Why is number 3 holy? ›The number 3 biblically represents divine wholeness, completeness and perfection. If there ever was a desire to highlight an idea, thought, event or noteworthy figure in the Bible for their prominence, the number 3 was used to put a divine stamp of completion or fulfillment on the subject.
What state trooper makes the most? ›How does a state trooper's salary vary by state? The average salaries for state troopers can vary significantly, depending on the state. State troopers in California and Georgia generally earn the highest salaries, while troopers in South Carolina earn the lowest.