Larry J. Bernard, 69, passed away due to natural causes at Benefis Healthcare in Great Falls on Thursday, February 22, 2024.  Wake services will begin at 5:00 p.m.on Sunday, February 25, 2024, and his funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 26, 2024, all at St. Mary's Catholic Church.  Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

Larry was born December 12, 1954, in Fort Belknap to Thomas and Rose (Morsette) Bernard.  He was raised in Rocky Boy, attending schools there.  After high school, he attended the Montana State Police Academy.  Larry started his career as a police officer in 1975 and served for 43 years.  He was selected as Chief of Police with the Chippewa Cree Law Enforcement in 2016 and finally retired as Chief of Police in Rocky Boy on November 11, 2021, due to health reasons.  Larry displayed great pride in being a police officer and held his job and appearance as an officer in the highest regard.  He had his uniforms starched and pressed.  He would shine his shoes and wax his hair.   He was widely known amongst police officers, and served in Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana.  Sometimes Larry would pull people over for traffic violations, which sometimes included his family members.  He would tell us to not take offense, that he once gave his own mother a traffic ticket.  He was an expert marksman (accomplished firearms instructor) and shot with 100% accuracy.  He loved law enforcement and would collect police badges.

He loved to attend gun shows throughout the state.  He always had a flashy truck or fancy car.  He played guitar and loved to sing country music, mastering Johnny Cash on the guitar.  He enjoyed dancing and often remarked how much he missed dancing at our former local VFW club.

He was an exceptional artist and would paint headstones, sawblades, garden, and yard décor.   He liked to visit pawn shops, rummage sales, and flea markets and acquire collectibles of all kinds.  He loved to hunt while his health allowed and he made excellent dry meat, which many community members would buy.  He enjoyed gambling in his free time and would be seen frequenting area casinos.  He loved women, loved 'em everyone.  He always commented that Marilyn Monroe was his favorite.  He had many children.  His latest obsession was watching the tv series Yellowstone.

Larry was preceded in death by his sons, Thomas Bernard and Elias Bacon; grandson, Tyler Big Bow; parents, Thomas and Rose Bernard; daughter, Cheyenne Bernard; and brother, Tommy Lee Bernard.

He is survived by his sons, Samuel Bernard, Joseph Bernard, Albert Bernard, Elliot Bacon, Robert Big Bow, Christopher Bernard, Mike Jackson, Isiah Morsette, and Loren Bacon; daughters, Carol Ann Bernard, Renee Rock, and Billie Jo Favel; Godson, Trent Blatt; sisters, Margaret Bernard, Brenda Bernard, Christine Blatt, Kimberly Patacsil, Violet Dawn Sun Child, and Melody Bernard; brothers, Darrell Sun Child, Dallas (Pam) Sun Child, and Darin (Marva) Sun Child; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and other extended family and friends.