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Incident
Marshal Beard was stabbed to death after arresting a street brawler. The suspect threw Marshal Beard to the ground and then stabbed him in the chest, puncturing his lung and heart. He succumbed to his wounds at the scene.
Several bystanders were able to subdue the man and took him to the Fayette County Jail. A short time later an angry mob stormed the jail, removed the prisoner, and attempted to hang him from the second floor of the nearby courthouse. The rope broke when they pushed him from the window and his head was crushed on the pavement below. Another rope was located and his body was then hung from the window for several hours.
Marshal Beard was survived by his wife and four children.
Survivors
Marshal Beard was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
168 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
City Marshal Beard served with the Lexington Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Lexington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Lexington Police Department has lost 12 officers; 8 of them killed feloniously.
Joseph is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1858, 1 officer at Lexington Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1858, 2 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 92nd heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1858, 16 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 163rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1858, 18 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 165th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joseph was 45. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Lexington Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 44 and 60; the middle age was 45.
Joseph was 45. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41.
Joseph was 45. 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.
Joseph was 45. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
July holds 25% of these deaths at Lexington Police Department, more than any other month. Saturdays: 37.5%.
July holds 9.1% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Saturdays: 19%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 12 deaths at Lexington Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; knife, in 12.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 76.8% of all 984 deaths in KY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; knife, in 0.9% 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 edged weapon; knife, in 0.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; knife, in 0.7% of these deaths.
His people
Lexington Police Department has 12 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
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Joseph Beard Jul 10, 1858
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Cornelius N. Hendricks Aug 1, 1881
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Thomas Donlon May 12, 1888
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William W. Weathered Jul 29, 1894
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John J. Sullivan May 22, 1897
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Michael Murphy
Nov 5, 1907
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Preston Pullen
Oct 30, 1918
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Reese Bowen Nov 29, 1918
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John T. Collopy May 14, 1919
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J. J. Estes
Jan 19, 1927
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James Banahan Feb 23, 1935
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Danny L. Redmon
Jan 3, 1967
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 35-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Lexington Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
