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Sarah Diane Beckstrom
Incident
Location: District of Columbia Incident Date: Wednesday, November 26, 2025 Weapon: Handgun; .357 caliber Offender: In custody
Specialist Sarah Beckstrom succumbed to gunshot wounds she received when she was ambushed while on patrol near the Farragut Square Metro Station in Washington, D.C.
On Wednesday, November 26, 2025, a gunman walked up to Specialist Beckstrom and two other guardsmen and opened fire around 2:15 p.m. While he was standing over one of the guardsmen, preparing to shoot again, another guardsman returned fire, striking the gunman.
Specialist Beckstrom and the other guardsman were transported to local hospitals, where Specialist Beckstrom passed away on November 27, 2025. The other guardsman was in critical condition but eventually recovered.
The suspect was charged with three counts of assault with the intent to kill while armed and criminal possession of a weapon, and will be charged with murder in the first degree.
Over 2,000 National Guard troops have been deployed to guard Washington, D.C. since August 2025. They are sworn in and deputized with the United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service as certified law enforcement officers.
Specialist Beckstrom had served with the United States Department of Defense - Army National Guard - West Virginia Army National Guard for over two years and was assigned to the 863rd Military Police Company, 111th Engineer Brigade. She had been deployed to Washington, D.C. since August 2025 and volunteered to stay for the Thanksgiving weekend.
Survivors
She is survived by her parents.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Specialist Beckstrom gave the United States Department of Defense 2 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, sister.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Sarah Diane Beckstrom served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Sarah is the only officer of United States Department of Defense - Army National Guard - West Virginia Army National Guard remembered here.
Sarah is one of 169 officers killed feloniously in WV, 72.8% of the 232 remembered there.
Sarah is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Sarah is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2025, 1 officer in WV was killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 79 years on record. The heaviest was 1923, with 8.
In 2025, 53 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 135th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2025, 53 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 139th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Sarah was 20. Of the 147 killed feloniously in WV whose age is recorded, half were between 31.5 and 47.5; the middle age was 39. Sarah had served 2.4 years; the middle length of service was 4.5 years.
Sarah was 20. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Sarah had served 2.4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Sarah was 20. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Sarah had served 2.4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 8.3% of these deaths in WV; August holds the most, 14.2%. Thursdays: 9.5%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at United States Department of Defense - Army National Guard - West Virginia Army National Guard. The weapon recorded was handgun; .357 caliber, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 72.8% of all 232 deaths in WV, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .357 caliber, in 1.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .357 caliber, in 0.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .357 caliber, in 0.1% of these deaths.
Where
Military Service
Sarah Diane Beckstrom served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit Sarah Diane Beckstrom’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
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Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from United States Department of Defense - Army National Guard - West Virginia Army National Guard are honored on badge.nw.