City Marshal Joseph Beard, Lexington Police Department, Kentucky

City Marshal Joseph Beard

Lexington Police Department, Kentucky

End of Watch Saturday, July 10, 1858

Joseph Beard

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.

Bio

Age 45
Tour Not available
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Stabbed
Weapon Edged weapon; Knife
Offender Lynched by mob

Most Recent Reflection

View all 6 Reflections

Your heroism and service is honored today, the one hundred and fifty-first anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya

Anonymous

July 10, 2009