Constable Richard Arnold Beard
Napanee Police Department
Ontario
End of Watch: Saturday, August 27, 1921

Biographical Info
Age: 51
Tour of Duty: 7 years
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Saturday, August 27, 1921
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: 3 male suspects charged

Constable Richard Beard was stationed at Napanee, Ontario at the time of his death. Constable Beard died from a gunshot wound through his heart. He had been summoned to an alley where 3 suspects were in the process of Break and Enter into a jewelry store. Discovering 3 suspects he drew his weapon but was unable to discharge it before being shot. Constable Beard was accompanied by 2 citizens who fled the scene, sensing danger. A shot was fired and bystanders believed at the time it was Constable Beards weapon that had been discharged.

The suspects were able to elude capture in a stolen vehicle. They were later captured in an armed robbery in Kingston, Ontario that had followed several burglaries and armed hold up cases in that area. One case involved the wounding of a police officer and a businessman.

The 3 suspect males were 2 male twins age 20, and 1 male aged 21.

At the time of his death Constable Beard had served on the force for 7 years. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge. He survived by his second wife, 3 sons, 1 daughter, 1 step-son and a step-daughter. His funeral was attended by most of the towns people and businesses were closed for the service.

Constable Beards brother Assistant Jail Guard Eddie Beard
was injured in an incident that took the life of Jail Guard John Sangster at a Jail in Saskatchewan on August 2, 1936.