Officer Down: Beauregard Parish

by J. Shirlene Cooper
The Times of SWLA


A community mourns the loss of a neighbor, friend, protector, and hero.

Robert "Robbie" Eugene Bean
BPSO Detective
Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office Detective Robert “Robbie” Eugene Beane lost his life on the afternoon of Tuesday, May 5, as a result of a traffic accident, just south of Shreveport. He and three other BPSO officers were headed back to their hotel rooms, after a day of specialized S.W.A.T. (Special Weapons And Tactics) training, when an 18-wheeler, tractor-trailer rig pulled out from a Relay Station, and directly into the path of the Chevrolet Suburban in which they were riding.

Beane was driving and, according to reports, foresaw the impending collision. He reportedly made a valiant effort to steer his vehicle in a direction which would take his passengers away from harm. However, the accident happened quickly; the Suburban impacted with the middle of the trailer, leaving the vehicle partially lodged beneath it.

Beane died at the scene.

His passengers, Det. Dale Sharp, Deputy Lance Grant, and Deputy Brian Leedom, all suffering serious to critical injuries, were transported to LSU Medical Center, in Shreveport.

Although the accident occurred in the afternoon, and almost 200 miles from the men’s homes, word spread quickly, sending shock and sorrow to families, friends, and co-workers back in Beauregard Parish. The 14-year veteran of the sheriff’s office was only 34. He was the first BPSO officer to be killed in the line of duty.

A day later, his body was escorted home by fellow officers from all branches of law enforcement. A group of policemen, firefighters, sheriff’s deputies and others erected the United States flag over U.S. 171 and stood at attention as the line of vehicles crossed south into Beauregard Parish.

On Friday, May 8, Beane was laid to rest. Mourners overflowed the sanctuary and balcony of the First United Pentecostal Church. Every pew was filled, and law enforcement personnel from Louisiana and surrounding states stood side-by-side along the church walls. More than one row of pews was taken by members of the DeRidder Lions Club. In their yellow vests, these service club representatives were there for a final farewell to a fellow-member who was in line to be moved up to the position of club president. Many more from the community were left to pay their respects from the outer foyers and stairwells.

In the solemn gathering, soft music played and a slide-show gave a glimpse into the life of a Merryville neighbor, as well as a husband, father, son and community leader. Snapshot after snapshot showed a man smiling as he strummed a guitar; then laughing as he played with his daughter, Joslynn, or grinning as he hugged his wife, Nikki, and finally standing tall among his brothers in law enforcement.

And then Beauregard Parish Sheriff Ricky Moses stepped forward. “We’re here today to remember and honor one of our own, Detective Robbie Beane,” said Moses, who also took a moment to thank the community for an outpouring of love and support.

Turning to Beane’s wife, Moses said, “Nikki, thank you for sharing Robbie with us and allowing him to do the job that he loved.”

Sharing memories, Moses said that Beane “began his watch with BPSO on Aug. 16, 1995,” and realized quickly that law enforcement was his calling. He rose through the ranks to the position of detective, evidence custodian, dive team member, SRT member, LSA Task Force member and board member of the LTPOA (Louisiana Tactical Police Officers’ Association).

Beane also was remembered for his love of golf and for some of the antics he had displayed on the golf course. “No one could drive a golf ball like Robbie,” Moses offered. And about the detective’s sense of pride in appearance. “He always looked like he stepped out of a GQ magazine,” Moses said, adding, “He represented true character, honor, loyalty and leadership.”

With a break in his voice, Sheriff Moses concluded, “Robbie’s end of watch was May 5, 2009 at 2:30 p.m. His last act as a deputy sheriff will always be remembered as his most heroic. He made the ultimate sacrifice and saved the lives of other deputies in the vehicle. Robbie, your dedication, your service and your sacrifice will never be forgotten.”

Officiating over the service was friend and pastor, the Rev. Kennis Smith of Christway Church, where Beane had served as member and worship leader. “You can’t do justice for the man in what you say. It seems like a bad dream,” he began.

Smith said that Beane had shared many thought and dreams with him, especially about his family – how he had met his wife at Lion’s Camp, and how his little girl was his “Sunshine.”
Beane was “a hometown hero, whose family and community can be proud of,” Smith continued. Describing the fallen deputy as one who “could turn a room from darkness to light,” Smith said his friend had lived a “God given dream,” and had found balance, walking with Christian values intact.

“Every day, when Robbie got up, he planted his seed of faith in Jesus,” Smith said, adding that all would miss Beane’s infectious laughter, his warm spirit, and his love of musical gifts.

Consoling, Smith finished with a prayer, telling family and friends, “He went with Jesus to paradise.”

Following the service, a sea of uniformed law enforcement filed out of the church and onto the lawns, mingling with citizens and gathering along the sidewalks. A number of BPSO officers stood quietly with Sheriff Moses, as fellow S.W.A.T. team members serving as pall bearers, carefully transported a flag-draped casket to a waiting hearse.

A motorcade of motorcycles and decaled units from local and State Police and Sheriff’s departments led those hundreds paying their respects, in a single-file procession, away from the church. Again a flag was draped over the route, and community members who had not been able to attend the service lined the sidewalks, giving pause and joining emergency responders and firefighters as they saluted.

The procession turned off the U.S. 190 highway, and traveled a short distance to Old Cypress Cemetery, a quiet and final resting place for Beauregard Parish’s young hero.