Attempted Homicide Suspect Worked as Prison Guard

Cyndy Koures

A Missoula area man accused of trying to kill a police officer once worked as a Montana State Prison guard. Court records show he's been in trouble with the law before.

Police arrested 28-year-old Timothy Hoppe earlier this month. He's accused of shooting a rifle over the head of a Missoula police officer who was investigating a report of vehicle break-ins. Hoppe is being held on $250,000 bail in the county jail.

Back in 2005, police arrested Hoppe for knifing a man. One of the charges was a felony. But Hoppe ended up pleading guilty to three misdemeanors.

The Corrections department says it knew of Hoppe's criminal past when he was hired. But, spokesman Bob Anez says the charges had been dismissed or resulted in deferred sentences. No word on why Hoppe left the Corrections Department in September.