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Incident
Police Officer Mathew Beacham suffered a fatal heart attack during a foot pursuit.
He was working the front desk at the police station when a juvenile car theft suspect escaped and attempted to flee. Officer Beacham suffered the heart attack as he chased the youth.
Officer Beacham had served with the Greenville Police Department for 16 years.
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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Beacham gave the Greenville Police Department 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the Greenville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Beacham.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Greenville Police Department has lost 12 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Mathew is one of 20 officers lost to cardiac events in SC, 4.5% of the 442 remembered there.
Mathew is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Mathew is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1983, 1 officer in SC was lost to cardiac events, more than in any other year.
In 1983, 12 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 49th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1983, 12 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 49th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Mathew was 40. Of the 19 lost to cardiac events in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 40 and 53.5; the middle age was 47. Mathew had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 16.5 years.
Mathew was 40. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Mathew had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Mathew was 40. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Mathew had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
September holds 15% of these deaths in SC; October holds the most, 20%. Tuesdays: 15%.
September holds 8.3% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Tuesdays: 13.9%.
September holds 8.3% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 13.9%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 8.3% of all 12 deaths at Greenville Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 100% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.5% of all 442 deaths in SC, the 3rd most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 15% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 16.1% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 16% of these deaths.
His people
Greenville Police Department has 12 officers remembered here, Mathew among them.
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James Patrick Tucker
Apr 13, 1904
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Oliver S. Gunnels Feb 17, 1911
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James Earl Holcombe
May 30, 1915
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Alford M. Blair
Oct 5, 1919
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Joseph H. Kitchen
Oct 5, 1919
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George Staples Burroughs May 6, 1921
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Arthur F. Lackey
Mar 4, 1925
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Absolom Blythe Hunt
May 1, 1932
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William Frank Chasteen
Feb 21, 1971
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Mathew Montgomery Beacham, Jr.
Sep 20, 1983
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James Russell Sorrow
Sep 19, 1996
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Allen Lee Jacobs
Mar 18, 2016
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Greenville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
