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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Jim Beckwith, Deputy Sheriff Charles Layton, and Deputy Sheriff Joaquin De La Torre were shot and killed while attempting to arrest a suspect wanted for murdering two other people. They were members of a posse organized by the sheriff that had gone to the man's shack along the Salinas River south of Rancho El Tucho (Rancho Las Salinas). A woman came to the back door and told Deputy De La Torre that the suspect was not there. The man suddenly emerged from inside and fatally shot Deputy De La Torre before shooting Deputy Layton and Deputy Beckwith. The man fled on Deputy Beckwith's horse but was later captured by a mob and lynched.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
171 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Beckwith served with the Monterey County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Salinas community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Monterey County Sheriff's Office has lost 9 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Jim is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Jim is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Jim 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 1855, 3 officers at Monterey County Sheriff's Office were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1855, 5 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 82nd heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1855, 14 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 166th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1855, 17 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 166th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Jim had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 1 years.
Jim had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jim had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jim had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 42.9% of these deaths at Monterey County Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Saturdays: 28.6%.
November holds 8% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 16.4%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 77.8% of all 9 deaths at Monterey County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 42.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.6% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Monterey County Sheriff's Office has 9 officers remembered here, Jim among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 55-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Monterey County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
