Officer John B. Bealefeld

Officer John B. Bealefeld  
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On this day in Baltimore City Police History 30 August, 1945, we lost our Brother, Police Officer John B. Bealefeld based n the following;

On August 30, 1945 Officer Bealefeld was sent to investigate a family disturbance in the 1500 Blk. Boyle St. Upon arrival he met up with two brothers, Thomas and Joseph Geisler, these brothers were not exactly what one would call, model citizens; in fact from the street these two could be heard inside their 1526 Boyle St home swearing, yelling and fighting at all hours. Because of their language and actions, they were menacing to the neighborhood; frightening those that lived, or passed by. Neither would listen to Officer Bealefeld’s orders to quiet down, and act civil. We have all heard their senseless argument, “No one is coming into my house and telling me how to act, what to say, or how loud I can say it!” So Bealefild did what many of us have done, and or would have done, “I can’t tell you how to act in your house, fine; you’re under arrest, I will take you to my house, (the stationhouse) and while there, I will give you a free lesson in how to act, what to say, and how loud you can say it!” Bealefeld was a big man... he informed them of their arrest, and lead the way out of their house where he would have begin to escort them down to the callbox, to call for a wagon. As the three exited the building into the night, neither brother was handcuffed, and neither brother wanted to go to jail... Joseph in particular, so first chance he got, he balled up his fist and struck Officer Bealefeld in the back of the head with everything he had. At this point something else we have all experienced in Baltimore came into play that night. Those beautiful marble steps; those marble steps that when wet are as slippery as ice. Considering his size, the weather, and an unexpected attack, he did what any of us would have and fell several steps to the ground below. As he fell he twisted, and turned with a force so strong the femur in his leg broke into two, and while suffering pain from a broken leg, and a blow to the back of his head he still managed to have the presence of mind to reach out and grab Josepha Geisler as he attempted to run passed. Now with a broken leg, busted head and a detainee in his hand, he began to call out for help. Other officers were arriving on scene almost as he was falling from the porch and took control of Joseph Geisler. Joseph, and Thomas Geisler were both taken to Southern District for processing, Officer Bealefeld was taken to South Baltimore General Hospital where he would stay for several days before passing away on September 10th due to an embolism resulting from the fracture in his femur. Joseph Geisler was charged with his murder. Officer Bealefeld was married to Lillian Bealefeld they had no children – He gave 16 years and 6 months service to the Baltimore Police Department.

As his brothers and sisters of the Baltimore Police Department we will not let him be forgotten. His service Honored the City of Baltimore, and the Police Department. RIP Officer John B. Bealefeld

More Details

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