Officer Don A. Beckstead, Arizona Department of Public Safety, Arizona

Officer Don A. Beckstead

Arizona Department of Public Safety, Arizona

End of Watch Sunday, February 7, 1971

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Don A. Beckstead

Officer Don Beckstead succumbed to gunshot wounds he received after stopping a suspect who had just shot and killed Officer James Keeton minutes earlier on February 5, 1971.

Officer Keeton had stopped the man for a traffic violation on I-40, just prior to the New Mexico border, and a struggle ensued. The suspect gained control of Officer Keeton's weapon and shot him with it. It is believed that Officer Beckstead did not know that the man had just shot and killed Officer Keeton when he stopped the suspect a second time.

Officer Beckstead was transported to McKinley General Hospital in Gallup, New Mexico, where he was stabilized. While en route to Albuquerque for more treatment, he passed away.

The man was wanted for raping and murdering a young girl in California. After shooting both officers, the man murdered another citizen before being shot and killed by New Mexico State Police officers.

Officer Beckstead was a United States Navy veteran who had served with the Arizona Department of Public Safety for three years and previously served with the Phoenix Police Department. He was survived by his wife and two sons.

Bio

Age 28
Tour 5 years
Badge 409
Military Veteran

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Incident Date Friday, February 5, 1971
Weapon Officer's handgun
Offender Shot and killed

convicted felon, fugitive, sex offender, traffic stop

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Most Recent Reflection

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For some reason, writing a reflection has eluded me until now (age 61). I was 7 when my father was killed. I feel I have learned so much from my father and his father. I have tried to live by a code of honor they both instilled in me. I was lucky to be born in a generational pattern of goodness, family and love. 5 generations (that I have witnessed) of families that cared so much and loved deeply. My obligation, taken on with respect for the past, is to propel this code of honor forward to my daughter. I do this with laughter, fun and with as many smiles as I can conjure in each day. This is my father's pattern along with my grandfather.

I remember the day an officer came to our door and told us this horrible news. I sat on my mother's lap and asked for the most important items I felt I needed to remember him by, his knife and bible. I still have them.

My best friend is my brother Scott. We spend a ton of time together experiencing the outdoors. A love for the nature, travel and driving the backroads was a drive my father had.

My great-grandparents and grandparents were married over 50 years. My brother and I have been married over 30 years to our true loves. This is that honor and legacy our dad left with us.

I miss him.

David Beckstead
son

November 1, 2025