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<p>A Pennsylvania Game Commission officer who was shot and killed during an arrest attempt more than a century ago had his name added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.</p><p>Deputy Game Protector Charles Beecham, who was shot to death near Priceburg, Lackawanna County in 1906, is among 394 fallen law enforcement officers who were honored at ceremony on Saturday on the National Mall.</p><p>Beecham is the ninth Pennsylvania Game Commission officer to be recognized on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.</p><p>Beecham was one of several officers to respond on Nov. 4, 1906 to a complaint about individuals hunting unlawfully on Sunday. The officers encountered two men hunting with large-caliber revolvers, and while attempting to arrest one of the men, the other threatened, &#8220;Let him go, or I&#8217;ll shoot.&#8221;</p><p>The man fired a shot into Beecham&#8217;s chest, and the officer died at the scene.</p><p>While the man fled after firing the shot, he was eventually identified by police and charged with murder.</p><p>Beecham is the first Game Commission deputy to be named on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.</p><p>Once known as Deputy Game Protectors, Deputy Wildlife Conservation Officers are local representatives of the Pennsylvania Game Commission.</p><p>They work under the supervision of a full-time Wildlife Conservation Officer, and commonly are involved in law-enforcement patrols and investigations. They answer complaints and calls for service, help teach Hunter-Trapper Education classes, conduct educational programs and assist other agencies.</p><p>A Deputy Wildlife Conservation Officer himself, Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Bryan Burhans said deputies play important roles in the enforcement of game laws and contributing to the conservation of all wildlife.</p><p>&#8220;As Deputy Game Protector Beecham&#8217;s actions demonstrate, these dedicated deputies serve bravely as they work to protect the Commonwealth&#8217;s wildlife resources,&#8221; Burhans said. &#8220;We are exceptionally proud of our officers, and are proud Charles Beecham&#8217;s sacrifice forever will be recognized.&#8221;</p><p>In addition to the ceremony at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, Beecham was added to the Pennsylvania Game Commission&#8217;s Fallen Officers Memorial at a dedication ceremony on May 12.</p><p><strong>Fallen officers</strong></p><p>The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. contains the names of more than 19,000 men and women who were killed in the line of duty. Nine of those officers served with the Pennsylvania Game Commission at the time of their deaths. They are:</p><p>&#8226; Charles Beecham, fatally shot in Lackawanna County in 1906</p><p>&#8226; L. Seeley Houk, fatally shot in Lawrence County in 1906</p><p>&#8226; Joseph McHugh, fatally shot in Carbon County in 1915</p><p>&#8226;Joseph H. Kalbfus, died in Warren County crash in 1919</p><p>&#8226; Elias W. &#8220;Woody&#8221; Kelly, died in Warren County crash in 1919</p><p>&#8226; Walter M. Middleton, died in a Snyder County crash in 1935</p><p>&#8226; John B. Ross, drowned during McKean County rescue attempt in 1942</p><p>&#8226; Woodrow E. Portzline, suffered heart attack during 1973 investigation</p><p>&#8226; David L. Grove, fatally shot in Adams County in 2010</p><style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>Times Leader</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Tom Venesky at 570-991-6395 or on Twitter @TomVenesky</p></shirttailMeta></div>

PGC officer’s name added to national memorial