Finlay Beaton

Superior Police Department — Superior, WI

Felonious

End of Watch July 27, 1919

Age 48

The Vigil Panel 37 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 5

Incident

Patrolman Finlay Beaton was shot and killed while approaching Kinney's Meat Market at 1108 Tower Avenue in Superior around 2:00 a.m. Several burglary suspects had just blown open a safe. As they made their escape out of the back alley, they shot Patrolman Beaton as he ran after them. Another officer found Patrolman Beaton, who was unable to identify the men. He succumbed to his wounds five hours later. The suspects stole over $1400 and were never apprehended.

Survivors

Patrolman Beaton was survived by his wife and two small children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-WI-F50E8466
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 Beaton served with the Superior Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Superior community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Beaton.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Superior Police Department

Location Superior, WI

Platform Identity spd.douglas.wi.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 27, 1919

Age 48

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender At large

Patrolman Finlay Beaton 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 WI, 159 of 317 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50.2% of this state's fallen. That is 4 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At Superior Police Department, 4 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.

Superior Police Department

of 6 officers

66.7% Felonious

WI — Statewide

159

of 317 officers

50.2% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious