Officer William Beasley

William Beasley

Officer William Beasley was shot and killed on Dec. 24 while subduing an Orlando bartender as part of an attempt to quell a riot in 1885.

Officer Beasley had ordered the subject to move along on an overly crowded street but the subject resisted, obtained a pistol, and shot Officer Beasley when the lawman tried to subdue him. Officer Beasley's murderer was tried and hanged.

Officer Beasley was survived by his wife and daughter. He was a Confederate Civil War Veteran who served as a private in the 1st Florida Calvary, Company D.