Patrolman Frederick J. Beard

Frederick J. Beard

Patrolman Frederick Beard was struck by a tractor-trailer and killed during the pursuit of a robbery suspect. The suspect vehicle stopped on I-75 and as Patrolman Beard exited his patrol car he was struck by the semi.

The suspect Patrolman Beard was chasing was apprehended and sentenced to 81 years in prison in connection with the incident.

In March 2018, the city renamed Slonaker Avenue, passing the police department, to Officer Fred Beard Way.