Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Fred Beard was struck by a tractor-trailer and killed during the pursuit of a robbery suspect. At 9:30 p.m., Patrolman Beard responded to a robbery call at 731 E. Dixie in West Carrolltown. When he arrived at the location, three men fled in a vehicle, and Patrolman Beard initiated a pursuit. The suspect vehicle struck a retaining wall on I-75 near the onramp at Springboro Road in Moraine. Patrolman Beard stopped behind the wrecked car as the suspects started fleeing the vehicle. One of the suspects began firing at Patrolman Beard, and he returned fire. As he was approaching the suspects, he was struck by a semi. The suspect Patrolman Beard was chasing was apprehended. He pleaded guilty to five felonies from the incident, including involuntary manslaughter, and then skipped his sentencing hearing, accumulating in a week-long manhunt. He was sentenced to 81 years in prison in connection with the incident. Patrolman Beard had served with the West Carrollton Police Department for seven years. He was survived by his wife, son, two daughters, and parents. In March 2018, the city renamed Slonaker Avenue, passing the police department to Officer Fred Beard Way.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, two daughters, and parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-D365957F- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Beard served with the West Carrollton Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Dayton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Beard.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Frederick J. Beard is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In OH, 318 of 991 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 32.1% of this state's fallen. That is 1.1 percentage points above the national rate of 31%.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Frederick J. Beard's cause is highlighted.
How Frederick J. Beard Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 81 years
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Frederick J. Beard is highlighted in Feb.