Roll of Honor
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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- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Specialist Sarah Diane Beckstrom 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 97,759 officers honored here.
In WV, 169 of 232 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 72.8% of this state's fallen. That is 72.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Sarah Diane Beckstrom's cause is highlighted.
How Sarah Diane Beckstrom Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Sarah Diane Beckstrom is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Sarah Diane Beckstrom was killed by handgun; .357 caliber.
Incident Location
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.
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.