Leesburg Police Department, Florida
End of Watch: Sunday, February 13, 1944
Age: 49
Tour of Duty: 2 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: February 13, 1944
Weapon Used: Handgun; .38 caliber
Suspect Info: Executed in 1945
Police Officer Jesse Beerbower was shot six times and killed while attempting to arrest a parolee for disorderly conduct near Venetian Gardens in Leesburg. He located the man on the shore of the canal next to the park's baseball stadium. A struggle ensued in which the man fatally shot Officer Beerbower.
The suspect was apprehended, convicted of murder, and executed in the electric chair on February 12, 1945.
Officer Beerbower was a WWI veteran. He was survived by his wife.