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Incident
Detective James Beckham was shot and killed in the 5400 block of NW 6th Court by a bootlegger he was going to arrest. He was seated in his police vehicle when he was struck with a shotgun blast in the chest and killed instantly. The 27-year-old suspect said he thought Detective Beckman was a returning member of a gang of hijackers who tried to steal his stash of liquor earlier. He was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to three months in jail. Detective Beckham had served with the Miami Police Department for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Detective Beckham gave the Miami Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Miami community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Beckham.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Miami Police Department has lost 39 officers; 20 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.3% of the 1,006 remembered there.
James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1928, 1 officer at Miami Police Department was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 18 years on record. The heaviest was 1927, with 2.
In 1928, 6 officers in FL were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 143 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 10.
In 1928, 201 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 13th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1928, 202 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 15th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 29. Of the 20 killed feloniously at Miami Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 27.5 and 41; the middle age was 32. James had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 4.5 years.
James was 29. Of the 496 killed feloniously in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44.3; the middle age was 36. James had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
James was 29. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. James had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 29. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. James had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 15% of these deaths at Miami Police Department; November holds the most, 15%. Fridays: 20%.
February holds 7.8% of these deaths in FL; April holds the most, 10.1%. Fridays: 13.2%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 51.3% of all 39 deaths at Miami Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 10% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.3% of all 1,006 deaths in FL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 9% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Miami Police Department has 39 officers remembered here, James among them.
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John Rhinehart Riblet Jun 2, 1915
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Frank Angelo Croff
May 22, 1921
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Richard Roy Marler
Nov 28, 1921
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Laurie Lafayette Wever
Mar 15, 1925
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John D. Marchbanks
Feb 16, 1926
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Samuel J. Callaway
Jan 10, 1927
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Jesse L. Morris
Jul 8, 1927
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Albert R. Johnson
Sep 25, 1927
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James Franklin Beckham
Feb 3, 1928
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Augustus S. McCann
Sep 26, 1928
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Sidney Clarence Crews
Apr 25, 1929
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John I. Brubaker
Mar 31, 1933
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Robert Lee Jester
Nov 18, 1933
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Samuel D. Hicks
Aug 9, 1936
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Patrick Howell Baldwin
Mar 29, 1940
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Wesley Frank Thompson
Sep 18, 1941
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John Milledge
Nov 1, 1946
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Johnnie Young
Mar 8, 1947
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Frampton Pope Wichman, Jr.
Sep 24, 1948
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Leroy Joseph LaFleur, Sr.
Feb 16, 1951
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James H. Brigman
Feb 28, 1951
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John Thomas Burlinson
Mar 8, 1958
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Jerrel E. Ferguson
Nov 7, 1962
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Ronald F. McLeod
May 8, 1969
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Rolland Lane, II
May 23, 1970
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Victor Butler, Jr.
Feb 20, 1971
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Edward F. McDermott
May 18, 1980
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Nathaniel Keith Broom
Sep 2, 1981
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Jose Raimundo DeLeon
Dec 21, 1984
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David Herring
Sep 3, 1986
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Victor Estefan
Mar 31, 1988
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William Don Craig
Jun 21, 1988
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Osvaldo Juan Canalejo, Jr.
Oct 13, 1992
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Carlos A. Santiago
May 30, 1995
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William Harris Williams
Jul 3, 2000
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James Merry Walker
Jan 8, 2008
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Jorge Sanchez
Nov 1, 2016
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Aubrey Travis Johnson, Jr.
Oct 1, 2020
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Paul Schippereit
Jul 4, 2022
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 4-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
38 officers from Miami Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
