Northville Township issued the following announcement on Jan 24.
Northville Township Police Officer James Beamish, who once wrestled a deer while on patrol, is retiring. While he officially retires Jan. 30, his final day in uniform is Jan. 25.
He has been a fixture in the Department since joining as a dispatcher in September 1987, when Northville Township still had an active Angus cattle farm and Beck Road was dirt from Five Mile to Eight Mile. After seven years in that role, he attended the Schoolcraft College Police Academy, fulfilling his dream to become a sworn police officer, following his father’s footsteps.
“My father, who worked for 32 years for the Wixom Police Department, is the person who has been the most influential of my career,” Beamish said.
His father never wrestled a deer, though. He and other Township officers were called to a resident’s backyard after a buck was tangled by a soccer net and stuck in some bushes.
“I held him down while they worked to free the net, and let me tell you, deer are strong,” said Beamish, who runs marathons for fun.
Now on road patrol and as an Evidence Technician, Beamish has excelled in multiple positions throughout his career. He was a member of the Township’s Accident Investigation Team, served as the agency’s Traffic Enforcement Officer, worked as a detective in the Detective Bureau, a rotating position, where he pioneered the way by becoming Northville Township’s first certified Computer Forensic Investigator.
He also left his mark on the Department as a Field Training Officer, where he trained new officers to ensure that the agency’s best practices and competencies were met. It is a role he held for 20 years.
“I enjoyed training new officers,” Beamish said. “It was so rewarding” because he helped shape the future of the Department.
His work as a Computer Forensic Investigator makes him the most proud. “There are a couple of people on the Michigan Sex Offender Registry because of me,” he said.
“Officer Beamish is one of the most versatile, talented police officers in the Department,” said Todd Mutchler, Township Manager and Director of Public Safety. “He tackles every assignment with gusto. We will miss him and his enthusiasm for a job well done.”
Beamish says he will miss assisting residents. He’s saved at least four lives by using CPR and helped locate several lost children and those with dementia.
“Those are the most rewarding moments,” he said.
Township Supervisor Mark J. Abbo points out that his colleagues chose him as 2020 Police Officer of the Year, praising him for balancing excellent policing skills with both pride and humility.
“Congratulations to Officer Beamish on a wonderful career,” Supervisor Abbo said. “Thank you for your dedication to our community. We appreciate your service.”
Officer Beamish knows he won’t be sitting still. He is looking for his second career.
“I’m ready to turn the page and start a new chapter,” he said.
Original source can be found here.
Source: Northville Township
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