Orlando Police Department, Florida
End of Watch: Thursday, January 1, 1885
Age: 48
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: January 1, 1885
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Executed
Officer William Beasley was shot and killed on Dec. 24 while subduing an Orlando bartender as part of an attempt to quell a riot in 1885.
Officer Beasley had ordered the subject to move along on an overly crowded street but the subject resisted, obtained a pistol, and shot Officer Beasley when the lawman tried to subdue him. Officer Beasley's murderer was tried and hanged.
Officer Beasley was survived by his wife and daughter. He was a Confederate Civil War Veteran who served as a private in the 1st Florida Calvary, Company D.