PGPD Remembers Fallen Officer Major Richard Beavers

Let us pause to remember our fallen hero Major Richard J. Beavers, lost this day in 1983 in the line of duty.

Major Beavers was born on May 2,1946. He was raised in Hyattsville and graduated from Northwestern High School in 1966.  Major Beavers then joined the United States Air Force where he served with honor and distinction until his discharge in 1967.  He joined the Prince George's County Police Department in November of 1967, as a member of Session 3-67, a class that would ultimately lose three of its members in the line of duty.  When he graduated from the training academy was assigned to the Hyattsville district station.  Major Beavers rose through the ranks of the department, ultimately becoming the commander of the Oxon Hill District Station.

On the evening of November 28, 1983, two suspects armed with handguns approached Major Beavers in his unmarked police vehicle as he conducted a premise check on St. Barnabas Road in Temple Hills.  As the Major drew his service weapon and began to challenge the suspects, they opened fire.  Major Beavers returned fire but was critically wounded in the exchange.  He was rushed to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries the next morning.

Major Beavers served the Prince George's County Police Department for 16 years and was the 15th member of this agency to make the ultimate sacrifice.  He was the 24th law enforcement officer to give his life in service to this profession within Prince George's County.

At the time of his death, Major Beavers was 37 years old and survived by his wife, son, and daughter.