Roll of Honor
Incident
Special Deputy Sheriff John Beasley was shot and killed outside of the San Patricio County Jail in Aransas Pass, Texas, by the brother of a man who had just been arrested.
Another deputy had arrested the brother and deputized Special Deputy Beasley so that he could assist with placing the main in jail. The man's brother arrived at the jail and demanded that his brother be released.
When the deputies refused to the release the prisoner the man went home, obtained his shotgun, and returned to the jail. He hid the shotgun by resting it against his foot as he approached. He then fired it at the deputy. The blast missed the deputy but struck Special Deputy Beasley, who was standing nearby, in the stomach. Special Deputy Beasley died before before he could be taken to his home one block away.
The man who shot Special Deputy Beasley was arrested by a posse and placed in the Aransas County Jail for his own protection against an angry mob of citizens.
Special Deputy Sheriff Beasley, On today, the 115th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of San Patricio County.
BPA Mike Casey United States Border Patrol(Retired) January 30th, 2025
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-700D7299- 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.
Special Deputy Sheriff Beasley served with the San Patricio County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Sinton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Deputy Sheriff Beasley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Deputy Sheriff John A. Beasley 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 TX, 1,463 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At San Patricio County Sheriff's Dept., 3 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John A. Beasley's cause is highlighted.
How John A. Beasley Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John A. Beasley is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John A. Beasley was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from San Patricio County Sheriff's Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
