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Incident
Patrol Officer Robert Beasley was assaulted while using a police call box at the corner of Halifax Street and Mistletoe Street. He was reporting he had a man under arrest who had robbed a woman earlier of her groceries she had bought as she left the store. At about 3:45 am when the line suddenly went dead, officers went to his location and found his body. His head had been beaten to a point that he was unrecognizable. The suspect, who openly bragged about what he had done, found himself surrounded in a house near Poe Station by several Petersburg policemen three nights later. As he tried to escape he was shot several times and killed. Officer Beasley had served with the Petersburg Police Department for only seven months.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrol Officer Beasley served with the Petersburg Bureau of Police.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrol Officer Beasley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Petersburg Bureau of Police has lost 7 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Robert is one of 393 officers killed feloniously in VA, 60.2% of the 653 remembered there.
Robert is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Robert is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1916, 1 officer at Petersburg Bureau of Police was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1916, 3 officers in VA were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 10.
In 1916, 155 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1916, 175 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 23rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Robert was 36. Of the 4 killed feloniously at Petersburg Bureau of Police whose age is recorded, half were between 35.5 and 48; the middle age was 40.5. Robert had served 0.6 years; the middle length of service was 3 years.
Robert was 36. Of the 364 killed feloniously in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Robert had served 0.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Robert was 36. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Robert had served 0.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Robert was 36. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Robert had served 0.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 40% of these deaths at Petersburg Bureau of Police, more than any other month. Sundays: 40%.
February holds 8.7% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 10.4%. Sundays: 18.6%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 71.4% of all 7 deaths at Petersburg Bureau of Police, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.2% of all 653 deaths in VA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.1% of these deaths.
His people
Petersburg Bureau of Police has 7 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 17-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Petersburg Bureau of Police are honored on badge.nw.
