The Flagstaff Police Department announced this week that one of its officers who involved in a fatal shooting while on duty last year his own life.
Officer Daniel Beckwith died of an apparent suicide on March 12, according to the news release.
Beckwith, who had been been with the department since July 2014, had been on paid leave since June 2018 and living in Mesa with his wife.
He was involved in Feb. 8, 2018 fatal shooting of John Hamilton. According investigators, Hamilton pointed a firearm at a victim and officers, and refused to comply with officer's orders to put his weapon down. Beckwith, along with Officer Travis Rowden, were placed on administrative leave as the incident was under investigation by the Northern Arizona Officer Involved Shoot Team.
The Mesa Police Department was called to Beckwith's residence on Tuesday regarding a report of a Suicidal Subject. Upon their arrival, he was discovered deceased by police.
There were no other persons at the home when police arrived.
"At this time the family requests privacy; funeral arrangements are unknown at this time. The City of Flagstaff and the Flagstaff Police Department extends its deepest condolences to Officer Beckwith’s family and friends," officials said in a statement. "The Flagstaff Police Department would like to remind everyone there are resources available to anyone who may be contemplating suicide. Locally, the Behavioral Health Crisis Hotline can be reached at 1-877-756-4090 or WeCare Northern Arizona at 1-800-273-8252."
