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Incident
Marshal Sherman Beathard succumbed to injuries sustained eight days earlier when his patrol car collided with a train at a crossing on Main Street.
He had just arrested three men for being drunk in public and was taking them back to the jail to book them. Witnesses stated that as the patrol car neared the crossing it suddenly swerved and it looked as though Marshal Beathard had been distracted by the men inside of the vehicle.
Two of the prisoners and Marshal Beathard were all thrown from the vehicle. The two prisoners were killed instantly. Marshal Beathard was taken to a hospital in Columbus, where he remained until succumbing to his injuries eight days later. The third inmate suffered minor injuries.
Marshal Beathard had been sworn in as marshal only 1 week before the accident. He had served as a police officer with the London Police Department for the previous 6 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Marshal Beathard gave the London Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the London community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Marshal Beathard.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Sherman is the only officer of London Police Department remembered here.
Sherman is one of 319 officers lost to accidents in OH, 32.1% of the 993 remembered there.
Sherman is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Sherman is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1928, 3 officers in OH were lost to accidents, the 35th heaviest of 125 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 8.
In 1928, 103 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 5th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1928, 115 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 6th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Sherman was 37. Of the 310 lost to accidents in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 37. Sherman had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Sherman was 37. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Sherman had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Sherman was 37. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Sherman had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 8.8% of these deaths in OH; July holds the most, 12.2%. Mondays: 16.6%.
January holds 7.7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
January holds 8.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at London Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 32.1% of all 993 deaths in OH, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 58-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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