Special Constable Malachi J. Beasley

Malachi J. Beasley

Special Constable Beasley was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man wanted for stealing a handgun earlier in the day.

The victim of the theft made a complaint to the local justice of the peace, who swore in Mr. Beasley as a special constable in order to arrest the suspect.

Special Constable Beasley located the subject on the 2800 block of North Landing Road, about a one mile from the Princess Anne County Courthouse. When the constable informed the suspect he was under arrest, the man immediately pulled out the pistol and opened fire, striking Constable Beasley in the neck and head, killing him.

The suspect fled the scene but was later arrested by a posse. The man was transferred to the Norfolk City Jail for his own safety. On October 3, 1898, a grand jury recommended his case be tried, and on December 6, 1898, he was sentenced to death by hanging.

Special Constable Beasley had only been sworn in hours before he was murdered. He was survived by his wife and three children.