Cst. Frank Beevers
End of Watch: October 17, 1918
Constable Beevers was shot while attempting to apprehend a murder suspect.
Early in the morning of October 17, 1918, a local businessman, Sam Zappler, was robbed and murdered by Joe Campbell. Following Zappler’s murder, Campbell returned to his room in the Northern Hotel.
Two officers, Inspector Haig and Sergeant Kelly, were assigned to investigate the crime. Due to the First World War, there was a shortage of police officers at the time. Haig asked Beevers to accompany them to the Northern Hotel.
Beevers was stationed at the back door of the hotel while the inspector and sergeant went to look for Campbell. Campbell ran out the back door, where a confrontation with Beevers occurred. Campbell pulled out a gun and shot Beevers twice. By the time Haig and Kelly arrived, Campbell had escaped. Cst. Beevers was transported to the Royal Alexandra Hospital where he died from his injuries.
Joe Campbell was arrested on October 23, 1918. His trial lasted two days. He was found guilty of the murders of Frank Beevers and Sam Zappler. Campbell was executed four months later at the provincial jail in Fort Saskatchewan.
The Edmonton Police Department honoured Beevers’ sacrifice by giving him the rank of constable. In the last moments of his life, Beevers demonstrated courage, integrity, and commitment to the citizens of Edmonton and the community he called home.
Constable Beevers was 52 at the time of his death. He is buried in the Edmonton Cemetery.
In 2018, on the 100th anniversary of Constable Beevers’ death, a new tombstone recognizing his sacrifice was installed on his grave.