Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff David Beck and Deputy Sheriff Robert Stolz were shot and killed while searching a wooded area for two men who had fired a shotgun at another deputy who was pursuing them. Deputy Stoltz and Deputy Beck were the first deputies to arrive in the area near the Mississippi line in western Mobile County. The subjects opened fire on both deputies, killing Deputy Stoltz before he was able to draw his weapon. Deputy Beck was also fatally wounded in the exchange of shots. One of the subjects was found dead, suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. The other man was apprehended and sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole. In 1989 and again in 1992, he received new trials and was sentenced to life each time. He was denied parole on March 20th, 2019, and died in prison in 2023. Deputy Beck had served with the Mobile County Sheriff's Office for six years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, daughter, parents, and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AL-F2A418E4- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Beck gave the Mobile County Sheriff's Office 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Mobile community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Beck.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff David Eugene Beck Sr. is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In AL, 405 of 643 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63% of this state's fallen. That is 63 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Mobile County Sheriff's Department, 6 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. David Eugene Beck Sr.'s cause is highlighted.
How David Eugene Beck Sr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. David Eugene Beck Sr. is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. David Eugene Beck Sr. was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Mobile County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
