Spc. Sarah Beckstrom laid to rest Wednesday, at Grafton National Cemetery
By RealWV Staff,
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – “No plots in the West Virginia National Cemeteries can be purchased. Each must be earned, and we know Spc. Sarah Beckstrom has earned her place here among us today.”
That’s what Maj. Christopher Bennett, 111th Engineer Brigade Chaplain, told those gathered at the West Virginia National Cemetery in Grafton on Wednesday, for the funeral services of Sarah Beckstrom. Beckstrom, a 20-year-old military police officer with the 863rd Military Police Company of the West Virginia Army National Guard, died on Thanksgiving Day after she was fatally wounded in the line of duty in a shooting attack in Washington, D.C.
“There are many understandable responses to Sarah’s tragic murder,” Bennett said. “Anger, grief and confusion are natural and understandable, and God is big enough to handle all of those emotions and more. We can take comfort in knowing that God is just and that in the end, justice will be served.”
Beckstrom is survived by mother Evalea Beckstrom, father Gary Beckstrom, sisters Nicole and Christina and brothers Bryan and Wesley. A passionate lover of animals, Beckstrom was a “dog momma to one pup,” said family members, and was known to often carry snacks to share with squirrels she may have encountered.
Family described her as “a gentle soul who loved and lived deeply,” and sought out human connections.
The service was attended by family members, friends, and dignitaries including Governor Patrick Morrisey, U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito and Jim Justice, Congresswoman Carol Miller, and Congressman Riley Moore; U.S. Air Force Gen. Steve Nordhaus, Chief of the National Guard Bureau; U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Jon Stubbs, Director of the Army National Guard; and West Virginia National Guard Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Jim Seward and Senior Enlisted Leader Command Sgt. Maj. James Jones.
“We are proud to honor one of West Virginia’s finest,” Morrisey said, through a statement released after the service. “The ceremony was deeply moving and reflected the strength, grace, and love of a remarkable young woman and the family and friends who surrounded her. Their strength is West Virginia’s strength.”
Sarah Diane Beckstrom was born May 17, 2005, and was a 2023 graduate with honors from Webster County High School. She enlisted in the West Virginia Army National Guard not long after graduating and completed basic and advanced training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, that summer.
In August, she and other members of the WVNG, including members of her unit, were mobilized for service in Washington as part of Operation D.C. Safe and Beautiful, which saw more than 2,000 Guardsmen from six states provide an additional security and safety presence at key locations in the District.
In August, she and other members of the WVNG, including members of her unit, were mobilized for service in Washington as part of Operation D.C. Safe and Beautiful, which saw more than 2,000 Guardsmen from six states provide an additional security and safety presence at key locations in the District.
Beckstrom was enrolled at Glenville State University and intended to pursue studies related to mental health.
Her military awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, West Virginia Legion of Merit, the D.C. Distinguished Service Medal, and the D.C. Humanitarian Service Medal.
