Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Jesus Christ, during His earthly ministry, proclaimed, “Greater love has no one than this that someone lay down his life for his friends.” [John 15:13 ESV]

Chaplain Steven R. Closs, D.Div, MSBS, NCCA
Ordained/Licensed Independent Christian Clergy
Merrimack, NH 03054

Captain Steven R. Closs (Ret.)
Nashua NH Police Department

February 26, 2021

Thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice will always be remembered by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

October 12, 2020

Rest in peace Sheriff Beach.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 9, 2019

I learned of Sheriff Beach's death in 1996 during a FBI Hostage Negotiation training class. My heart was quickened and shocked to later learn we were related.

Real heroes never die, their courage inspires others to honor their legacy.

BLM

Lieutenant Criminal Inv. Kurt E. Beach
Smithfield Police Department

September 9, 2018

Rest in Peace Sheriff Beach. You are a real hero!!

"Blue Lives Matter"

Steve Van Slyke, retired K9 Handler
El Cajon Police Department

October 12, 2016

I am sorry that he was killed trying to rescue my parents, Mr. Ernest and Jean Wiggins. My mother died the next day. It was a sad time in Williamston and the surrounding area. We have all moved on but I cannot help but think of you when I think of my mother. Continue to rest in peace

Ernestine Peele
member of town

August 22, 2014

Jerry was a good friend, a lodge brother, a fellow veteran and a kind man. When Iwas a SGT at Robersonville PD, I would moonlight at the SO. Jerry helped me get a job closer to home when my mother was ill and living back here in the mountains. He was a great man, public official and friend. Here 20 years later, he is still missed. RIP Sheriff.

Chief (RET) John Millan
NC Public Schools Avery Dist

September 20, 2012

I MET JERRY AT MARTIN COMMISONER HURST'S HOME IN THE LATE 80S AND HE REMEMBERED WHAT MY UNCLE HAD TOLD HIM AT RHS IN ROBERSONVILLE. HE TOLD MY UNCLE TRUETT COMA THAT "THE WORLD IS A STAGE WHERE EVERYONE PLAYS A PART." HE DIED OF CANNCER SOON AFTER JERRY WAS KILLED AND WAS A PREACHER.

JACK COCHRAN

March 10, 2012

Jerry was a good man. He lived trying to help this community and his wife still does.Thank God for people like this!
Terry

Terry B Fowden
Friend

July 11, 2010

Hi Jerry:

As you know, we sadly report that another brave Martin Co Deputy joined you with the murder of Deputy Brown. I still remember you as do so many others. You brave officers will never be forgotten. God Bless.

John

Chief JA Millan
Hoonah AK PD

December 13, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 17th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service to my home state and the birthplace of my son. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Your reflections showed that so many people love and care about you. You were truly an amazing man who is so well- respected.
Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya

Anonymous

October 14, 2009

The plaque still hangs by the entrance to the office and we pass it each day as we enter. Your service and ultimate sacrifice will always be remembered.

Corporal Andy Holliday
Martin County Sheriff's Department

September 19, 2009

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.%

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

December 27, 2007

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

December 27, 2007

It is hard to believe that 15 years have passed since this good and decent officer was needlessly taken from us in such a savage and untimely manner. To Sandra and the family, God Bless. Thank you Sheriff, you are not forgotten for your sacrifices and your service to Martin County, NC and the United States in peace and war. God Bless.

Chief John Millan
Galena AK Police Dept.

October 17, 2007

SHERIFF BEACH, MAY GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE. YOU HAVE SERVED WELL. YOU ARE A HERO NOT BY HOW YOU DIED, BUT BY HOW YOU LIVED YOUR LIFE. MAY THE CITIZEN'S OF MARTIN COUNTY,N.C. NEVER FORGET THE SACRIFICE THAT YOU MADE FOR THEM. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE UNTIL WE MEET ONE DAY IN A LAND WHERE THERE IS NO EVIL. GOD BLESS.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.

October 13, 2007

On the upcoming anniversary of your passing, we remember you today, and thank you Sir for your service.

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

October 10, 2007

Jerry was a big man with an even bigger Christian heart. He was first elected Sheriff in 1990, after being a Martin County Deputy for 26 years, including patrol, detective and chief deputy under Sheriff Martin. His dream was always to be the Sheriff. He was friends with his opponent from that election and they both had nice things to say about eachother. No one ever had a bad word to utter about him.

Sheriff Beach enjoyed law enforcement and he was a happy gentleman who always had a big smile on his face. He liked to tell jokes and he had a mischievious side, but he was also a very serious officer, with a great deal of training and he was committed to professionalism. He modernized the operations of the Sheriff's Office by implementing a number of very positive professional changes when he became Sheriff.

I got to know Jerry immediately upon coming to work in Martin County as an officer. He was a friendly, humorous and professional officer who made everyone feel welcome. He liked law enforcement and he most enjoyed being with people, regardless of their income, skin color or political affiliation. When I was a Sgt. at Robersonville P.D. Jerry was always a friend to the officers of our department and other area agencies. He used to work us part-time for his department when his deputies were in training. He was great to work for. His family was from Robersonville, so he would stop in and visit our PD often and he would also invite us into his office to catch up with what was going on around the county. His wife Sandra is such a very nice lady and I think of her often.

Jerry Beach was known as a good Christian man who was very caring for the black community in Martin County. He was one of the most visible elected official to look out for the needs and interests of black citizens in the County. He started a program of getting unclaimed recovered bicycles to poor children who could not afford one. He would help people in areas outside of the usual realm of a Sheriff's law enforcement concerns, such as calling social services to expedite assistance for a hungry single mother and baby or he would call a doctor he might know and ask as a personal favor for the doctor to treat a sick child from a family who had no medical insurance and he helped make sure that the senior citizen's van knew where all of the old folks were who needed a ride to the doctor. He would also go out among the people of the county to hear their concerns and then pass these concerns on to the commissioners and other elected officials.

Jerry really cared about people and that was why he hurried to help Kevin at the bank that day. He really wanted to get Mr. & Mrs. Wiggins out safely and I have no doubt that he really didn't want the shooter to get killed either; he truly wanted the incident to be concluded wihtout bloodshed. It still infuriates me that the suspect assasinated someone like Jerry, who was genuinely trying to help him. It is ironic that Jerry Beach was probably the only person who cared anything about the suspect that sad October day. The officers at the scene said that Jerry seemed genuinely amazed that he had been shot, because he really saw good in everyone and his many years on the job had still not made him a cynic; he still honestly believed that there was some good in everyone. The EMS crew said that on the way to the hospital, Jerry continued to ask about Mr. & Mrs. Wiggins until he passed out.

Jerry used to pay for the meat at the officers fellowship cookouts at the sheriff's office each month. I remember at one cookout he was recalling when he took a rifle shot through his shoulder in the Korean War and how because of that he didn't fear getting shot anymore; that although it was no fun, he joked it was like riding a bicycle, that you never forget! He could joke about even the unpleasant things in life.

Over 1000 citizens and officers from across the State and elsewhere, including the Governor, came to honor him and to say goodbye on that sad October day. He was a good man and he is still greatly missed.

Take care Sheriff and thanks for all you did.

Chief JA Millan
NC Public Schools, Avery Dist. LEO

February 27, 2007

Hi hero, stay safe

RIP CE Lima

CE Lima Ptl
CCRPV # 2906

September 29, 2006

I am still saddened by Sheriff Beach's murder. He made the ultimate sacrafice for citizen safety. Martin County has not forgotten what a hero he is. His wife, Sandra, was my English teacher a few years before his death, and I hurt for her. God bless his family.

Karen Korzeniewski
Simpson Rural Fire Department

July 24, 2006

RIP Brother and thank you for your dedicated service.

SFC D.Donald
US Army MP Corps

December 25, 2005

I wish to acknowledge the many years of distinquished service Sheriff Beach gave to his community and the citizens of North Carolina, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on October 12, 1992. His service to man and h country through his military service is also honored. Sheriff Beach, you are a true hero.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer
Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD eow 4/24/05

October 13, 2005

Sheriff Beach,
On today, the 13th anniversary of your murder, I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice, not just for your community, but for our Country as well in the Korean War.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

October 12, 2005

I read your memorial today. You are a true hero and your family should be very proud. Rest in Peace my Brother.

Sergeant
Clearwater PD, Florida

May 12, 2004

I stop by this website often after the death of two dear friends with the NCSHP (Troopers Calvin Taylor E.O.W. October 3, 2001 and Anthony Cogdill E.O.W. May 30, 2003).

We all grieve over the lives lost in the line of duty. I hope you can find some comfort knowing that there are countless prayers that go out for your family.

These are senseless tragedies that never seem to stop. God Bless the men and women who continue to serve their communities in our great Nation.

...Gone, but never Forgotten....

Marti (EMT-Paramedic)
Haywood Co EMS (NC)

April 5, 2004