Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief of Police James Beard was shot and killed inside the Buesta Vista courthouse and jail, at 2110 Magnolia Avenue, with his own weapon by a prisoner he had transferred from Pennsylvania. The prisoner rushed Chief Beard, gained control of his weapon, and shot him twice. Another officer shot the suspect in the leg. His leg had to be amputated.
Chief Beard had served with Buena Vista Police Department 37 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-9641C506- 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
37 years. You could have gone home.
Chief of Police Beard gave the Buena Vista Police Department 37 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Buena Vista community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Beard.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police James Madison Beard 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 VA, 395 of 654 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 Buena Vista Police Department, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Madison Beard's cause is highlighted.
How James Madison Beard Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Madison Beard is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Buena Vista Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
