Roll of Honor
Incident
J. K. Beauchamp, 24, was employed as the night watchman for the City of Haskell, Haskell County, Texas. On Saturday night, October 23, 1926, at around 10:00 p.m., Beauchamp confronted several men burglarizing the Davis Economy Store.
When Beauchamp did not return home on Sunday morning his wife called Chief of Police Welsh and friends. Chief Welsh was already investigating because the awning and show window lights in the business section were still burning and the night watchman was required to turn them off around 10:00 p.m. each night.
A gun fight had obviously erupted when Beauchamp confronted the men inside the store. Beauchamp was shot on the left side of the heart and the top of his head. He fell in the door way with his head and shoulders outside in the alleyway. His pistol was lying near by with one round fired.
On August 21, 1927, two men, 19 and 26, were arrested and charged with murder. On October 31, 1927, the 19-year-old was convicted of murder and sentenced to 99 years. He was pardoned on October 13, 1944.
John Keifor Beauchamp was buried in the Rochester Cemetery in Rochester in Haskell County. He was survived by his wife, one son and two daughters. He had been well known as a wrestler prior to moving to Haskell and becoming the night watchman.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, one son and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-TX-93EDB385- Stewardship
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- 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.
Night Watchman Beauchamp served with the Haskell Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Haskell community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Night Watchman Beauchamp.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Night Watchman John Keifor Beauchamp 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Keifor Beauchamp's cause is highlighted.
How John Keifor Beauchamp Compares
Offender Outcome
Pardoned in 1944
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Keifor Beauchamp is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Keifor Beauchamp was killed by unknown weapon.