The New Florence community is grieving with the loss of Police Chief Tyler Beasley, who passed away on April 30 at age 36 at his home in Columbia.

Beasley worked with the New Florence Police Department for nearly three years. He worked at the Reynolds County Sheriff’s Office and the New Haven Police Department before joining the New Florence police staff in September 2023.

Black and blue ribbons were decorated in front of the New Florence City Hall building in memory of Beasley.

“Even though this was not an in the line of duty death, Chief had made a very good impact within the community and had associated himself with several of the residences throughout calls for services and things of that nature,” New Florence City Administrator David Ingle said. “So, there have been several citizens who I would say are at the very least shocked by the news of his passing.”

A celebration of life is scheduled for 4 p.m.-7 p.m. on May 15 at the Courtyard by Marriott Ballroom at 3301 Lemone Boulevard in Columbia. Anyone who plans to attend the services must take the Stadium Boulevard exit on Highway 63.

Beasley graduated from Hickman High School in Columbia. He worked as an auto mechanic before switching to a law enforcement career.

Ingle said even though he had a short tenure with the New Florence Police Department, Beasley established a strong relationship with residents in the community.

“Tyler was a well-rounded police officer,” Ingle said. “He moved his way up to police chief and embraced the responsibilities that he was given. It takes a lot of time for people to get into positions that they’re held in command of and things in that nature for the smaller community.”

Ingle said the city is doing its best to comfort Beasley’s family. Beasley was married to his wife Jennifer for 11 years. They had three children.

“We’re just trying to make everything easy for them going through this process,” Ingle said. “I don’t think the grieving process has actually gone full circle because there’s so much work.”

Ingle said city officials are working to find a replacement for Beasley. He added that part-time officers have stepped up and took over duties in Beasley’s absence.

“I know that my board of aldermen works really well together. The decisions that they’re going to be making several months will definitely guide towards what’s best for the community,” Ingle said.

The Chief Mason Griffin Foundation is holding a fundraiser to help support the Beasley family. The organization is selling memorial shirts and tumblers for $25 each. Anyone who wants to make a purchase can go to shop.tcmgf.org.

“They ended up working with the family to set up the lines through their foundation, setting up certain funding to take care of funeral expenses and living expenses for the family,” Ingle said. “Chief Beasley was the sole breadwinner of that family. With their help, I can’t say enough for their organization and how they stepped up with the City of New Florence, helped the family through this process and set up the funding and foundations to be able to collect some donations to help his three kids and things of that nature.”