Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Jesse Beerbower was shot six times and killed while attempting to arrest a parolee for disorderly conduct near Venetian Gardens in Leesburg. He located the man on the shore of the canal next to the park's baseball stadium. A struggle ensued in which the man fatally shot Officer Beerbower. The suspect was apprehended, convicted of murder, and executed in the electric chair on February 12, 1945. Officer Beerbower was a WWI veteran.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-373C4AA9- 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.
Police Officer Beerbower gave the Leesburg Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Leesburg 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
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Jesse F. Beerbower served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Police Officer Jesse F. Beerbower 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 FL, 539 of 1,008 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.5% of this state's fallen. That is 0.7 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Leesburg Police Department, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Jesse F. Beerbower's cause is highlighted.
How Jesse F. Beerbower Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1945
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Jesse F. Beerbower is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Jesse F. Beerbower was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Leesburg Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
