Theodore L. Beckmann, Jr.

San Diego County Sheriff's Department — San Diego, CA

Felonious Veteran

End of Watch February 8, 1989

Age 35

Tour of Duty 8 yrs

The Vigil Panel 134 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 10

Incident

Deputy Sheriff Theodore Beckmann was killed after his patrol car was struck by a drunk driver on Mission Avenue near La Canada Road. He was responding to a child abuse call when he noticed a truck fishtailing down the road. He pulled off to the shoulder to avoid the truck but it drove over the driver's side of his vehicle, killing him. Deputy Beckmann's partner survived the incident. The suspect was charged with manslaughter but was acquitted. Deputy Beckmann was a United States Navy veteran who served with the San Diego County Sheriff's Department for eight years.

Survivors

He is survived by his two sons.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-CA-5A00A05D
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 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.
Deputy Sheriff Beckmann gave the San Diego County Sheriff's Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Diego community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department San Diego County Sheriff's Department

Location San Diego, CA

Platform Identity sdcso.sandiego.ca.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 8, 1989

Tour of Duty 8 yrs

Age 35

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Automobile; Alcohol involved

Offender Acquitted

Military Service

Theodore L. Beckmann, Jr. served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Deputy Sheriff Theodore L. Beckmann, Jr. is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At San Diego County Sheriff's Department, 6 of 11 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 54.5% of this agency's fallen.

San Diego County Sheriff's Department

of 11 officers

54.5% Felonious

CA — Statewide

974

of 1,837 officers

53% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious