John Beasley

John Stewart Beasley — known to many as Stewart — devoted more than two decades of his life to serving the Baytown community as a police officer. A 23-year veteran of the Baytown Police Department, Beasley spent much of his career working the streets of his city, earning the respect of colleagues who remembered him as upbeat and willing to help others.

Beasley lived in the Cove area east of Baytown, where friends and family knew him as a committed father. In early August 2018 his loved ones became alarmed when he did not return home. He was last seen August 2, 2018, leaving his residence. In the days that followed Chambers County sheriff’s deputies, Baytown police officers, and volunteer search-and-rescue teams — including drone and helicopter units and K-9 teams — searched for him.

On August 7, 2018, searchers located Beasley’s body in a field near his Cove home. Investigators determined he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The loss was deeply felt across the Baytown Police Department and the surrounding community. Colleagues described him as a brother in the profession and spoke publicly about the stresses law enforcement personnel face, and about the need for mental-health support for officers.

Beasley’s life was not defined by the circumstances of his death. Those who knew him remember his years of steady public service, his care for family, and the everyday contributions he made in Baytown. His passing drew attention to the challenges some first responders encounter and to the importance of reaching out to those under strain. While public records provide a limited picture, what is clear is that John Stewart Beasley was a real person — a father and a longtime officer — whose absence was mourned by family, friends, and coworkers.

If you knew Stewart and would like to honor his memory, consider supporting local programs that provide mental-health resources for first responders or reaching out to colleagues and neighbors who may be quietly struggling. His dedication to service is part of the legacy he left behind.