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Incident
Special Constable Beasley was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man wanted for stealing a handgun earlier in the day.
The victim of the theft made a complaint to the local justice of the peace, who swore in Mr. Beasley as a special constable in order to arrest the suspect.
Special Constable Beasley located the subject on the 2800 block of North Landing Road, about a one mile from the Princess Anne County Courthouse. When the constable informed the suspect he was under arrest, the man immediately pulled out the pistol and opened fire, striking Constable Beasley in the neck and head, killing him.
The suspect fled the scene but was later arrested by a posse. The man was transferred to the Norfolk City Jail for his own safety. On October 3, 1898, a grand jury recommended his case be tried, and on December 6, 1898, he was sentenced to death by hanging.
Special Constable Beasley had only been sworn in hours before he was murdered.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
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
128 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Special Constable Beasley served with the Princess Anne County.
Thank you for your service to the Virginia Beach community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Princess Anne County has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Malachi is one of 393 officers killed feloniously in VA, 60.2% of the 653 remembered there.
Malachi is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Malachi is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1898, 2 officers in VA were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 10.
In 1898, 89 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1898, 91 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 73rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Malachi was 40. Of the 364 killed feloniously in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Malachi had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Malachi was 40. 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. Malachi had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Malachi was 40. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Malachi had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 10.4%. Saturdays: 16%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Princess Anne County, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.2% of all 653 deaths in VA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 25.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Princess Anne County has 2 officers remembered here, Malachi among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 38-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Princess Anne County are honored on badge.nw.
