Community lines street to honor North Augusta officer killed by COVID

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - North Augusta Public Safety Department officers lined Georgia Avenue on Monday night to honor the life of a fellow officer who lost his battle against COVID-19.

On Monday night, the department ed Dustin Beasley as a man of integrity and high moral standards. He leaves behind a wife and young son.

It was a somber show of Monday night.

Officers held back tears as about 20 police cars lined the street so the department could honor one of its own. They spent more than half an hour parked with lights on to honor Beasley. He ed the North Augusta Department of Public Safety in December. Before that, he served in Williston and Barnwell’s police departments and the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

His loss at 30 years old has left many hurting.

“It just broke our hearts, it hurt everyone’s hearts today,” said Jordan Gibson.

Gibson lives in Blackville, where Beasley ’s father, Michael, is mayor. Because Dustin was the mayor’s kid, Gibson says everyone in Blackville knew him.

“He touched the lives of many, he had great connections with people around in our community in the Blackville community,” he said.

Gibson like so many others followed updates from Beasley’s family all week hoping and praying for the best.

“We prayed for a different outcome, but God had other plans for him, God wanted him to be with him,” he said.

The North Augusta Department of Public Safety asks you to keep Beasley’s family in your thoughts and prayers.

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