William E. Beach, Jr.
William E. Beach, Jr., who died after being shot during an “officer-involved shooting,” on Tuesday, Jan. 31, was supposed to go to trial this coming week.
Beach, 31, of Jackson, had been indicted on a charge of assault on a peace officer, a 4th-degree felony, from an incident in August 2022. He had been a passenger in a vehicle during a traffic stop in the City of Jackson. Beach had reportedly fled from a Jackson Police officer, however, the officer caught up with Beach and a struggle ensued. During the altercation, Beach had reportedly struck the officer in the face twice.
The officer involved in that incident, according to the indictment, was Justin Sizemore. The Telegram has previously reported this incident.
On Monday, Aug. 22, 2022, Officer Sizemore was patrolling the area of West Main Street near the intersection of West Street when he observed a vehicle “swerve over the double yellow line” twice. He initiated a traffic stop at The Filling Station at 214 Bridge St. in Jackson and spoke with the driver, Ashly Hill, of Jackson. The police report notes that Hill had a front female passenger and two rear male passengers, one of whom was seated in the third row alone.
While briefly speaking with one of the male passengers, Shawn M. Norman, who stated he possibly had a warrant out for his arrest, the other male passenger (Beach) seated in the third row of the vehicle exited. Despite being advised to get back into the vehicle by another JPD officer who had arrived on the scene, Beach started running. Officer Sizemore was able to quickly catch up to Beach in the middle of Bridge Street and take him to the ground. However, while he was trying to detain the suspect, he was struck in the face twice, according to the police report. Additional officers quickly arrived, and Beach was able to be taken into custody without further incident.
Hill was ultimately cited for driving left-of-center (minor misdemeanor), while Beach was charged and later indicted in October 2022 for assault on a peace officer (fourth-degree felony). After being medically cleared at Holzer Medical Center-Jackson, Beach was transported to the Jackson County Correctional Facility.
Beach later appeared for an initial court appearance on Oct. 21, 2022, where he agreed to be released upon own recognizance with house arrest and GPS ankle monitor. He was supposed to undergo drug and alcohol assessment at the Phoenix Center and follow all recommendations of treatment. Beach was to have no contact with Officer Sizemore by any means.
Beach then appeared for this arraignment on Oct. 28, 2022. He gave his address as 25 Columbia St. in Jackson. He was appointed an attorney from the Ross County Public Defender’s Office to represent him. Beach entered a plea of not guilty. The court set bond at his own recognizance with house arrest with a GPS ankle monitor. He was responsible for charging the ankle monitor.
On Jan. 4, 2023, a pre-trial for the case in Jackson County Common Pleas Court was held. Present before the court were Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Colleen Williams, Defense Counsel and Beach. A motion to compel (take action) was made by Beach. The state made a recommendation of 12 months, but Beach rejected the offer.
The following week, the court began preparing for a jury trial. Subpoenas were issued to several different people. The trial was scheduled for Feb. 6-8.
Strangely enough, or perhaps coincidentally, Beach’s attorney Trace M. Maddox, an Assistant Public Defender from Ross County, made a motion to continue the trial on the same afternoon of the shooting incident. Maddox explained that Beach had not contacted counsel since the Jan. 4 final pretrial hearing, and he hadn’t been able to reach Beach via phone.
Just to recap, Beach died on Jan. 31 after being shot by a Jackson County Sheriff’s Office deputy at a residence located at 1818 Jisco West Road, Jackson, following a long standoff with law enforcement officers.
Jackson County Sheriff Tedd Frazier told The Telegram a deputy shot Beach after the deputy was “threatened or felt threatened” by Beach in some way. The sheriff would not say whether Beach was armed or provide more details on the nature of the reported threat due to the ongoing investigation. However, no other person was shot or injured during the episode.
Jackson County Coroner Dr. Alice Frazier told The Telegram that Beach suffered one gunshot wound to the right side of his chest. An autopsy was performed by the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office in Dayton, Ohio. However, no official cause of death has been determined, pending the full results of the autopsy.
Prior to the shooting, Beach had reportedly barricaded himself inside the small residence and reportedly would not surrender. It is unknown as to why the barricade situation began. However, it should be noted per court documents that Beach should’ve been on house arrest at 25 Columbia St. He should not have been at 1818 Jisco West Road. Court documents show that Beach could only leave his address for employment, medical appointments, meetings with the attorney and court hearings.
At the request of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification (BCII) has fully taken over the investigation. An Ohio BCI spokesman told The Telegram Wednesday morning that its investigation “remains active and ongoing.” No other details about the episode have been released, including the name of the deputy who fired the shot.
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