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Incident
Officer Scot Beyerstedt succumbed to injuries sustained the previous night when his patrol car crashed during a vehicle pursuit at approximately 9:00 p.m.
He and his training officer were pursuing a vehicle on 24th Street after trying to stop the driver for reckless driving on I-94. The patrol car left the roadway and struck a tree as it rounded an S-curve.
Both officers were transported to Bronson Methodist Hospital where Officer Beyerstedt died. Officer Beyerstedt was not wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash. The vehicle they were pursuing fled the scene.
The driver was a convicted felon and was arrested on August 8, 2005. He was convicted in Van Buren County on December 14th, 2005, of one count of fleeing and eluding, resulting in death. On January 6th, 2006, he was sentenced to five to 25 years in prison. The subject only served 7 1/2 years. He was arrested in 2016 for fleeing from police again.
Officer Beyerstedt had served as a part-time officer for the Mattawan Police Department for only two weeks and had previously served with the Cassapolis Police Department for four months.
Survivors
He was survived by his father and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Beyerstedt served with the Mattawan Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Mattawan community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Beyerstedt.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Scot is the only officer of Mattawan Police Department remembered here.
Scot is one of 224 officers lost to accidents in MI, 31.9% of the 703 remembered there.
Scot is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Scot is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2005, 3 officers in MI were lost to accidents, the 16th heaviest of 98 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 8.
In 2005, 71 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 44th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2005, 87 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 43rd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Scot was 21. Of the 212 lost to accidents in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 43; the middle age was 34. Scot had served 0.4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Scot was 21. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Scot had served 0.4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Scot was 21. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Scot had served 0.4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 11.2% of these deaths in MI; August holds the most, 14.3%. Tuesdays: 15.6%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
July holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Mattawan Police Department. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 100% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 31.9% of all 703 deaths in MI, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 14.3% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.9% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.6% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 48-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Mattawan Police Department are honored on badge.nw.