Police chief in Bryan oversaw expansion

1/26/2006

BRYAN - Frank Beals, Jr., 78, a retired longtime police chief here, died Monday in the Community Hospitals and Wellness Centers, Bryan. The cause of death was not reported.

Chief Beals was the Bryan chief of police from 1959 until his retirement in 1977. An Army veteran, he joined the force in 1950.

Under Chief Beals' leadership, the department grew from four or five people to 13, and police officers began to be trained at the Toledo Police Academy and other training facilities, according to the Bryan Police Department's Web site.

"He was a good person to work for - fair and understanding," said Leroy Mock, also a former Bryan police chief who served on the Bryan Police Department under Chief Beals.

Bryan police Chief Jeff Arnold said: "In retirement, [Chief Beals] was always available if we needed advice."

In 1977, Chief Beals was suspended without pay for 15 days by Mayor Harvey Corwin for damaging a city vehicle. The suspension was ordered after he was cited by Ohio Highway Patrol troopers for driving while under the influence of alcohol.

Chief Beals attended the First Church of Christ in Bryan. He was a member of Montpelier Moose Lodge No. 312 and the Bryan Masonic Lodge.

Surviving are his wife of 55 years, Marseille W. Beals; daughters, Terry McBroom and Debbie Dunlap; four grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be after 2 p.m. tomorrow in the Krill Funeral Home, Bryan, and after 9:30 a.m. Saturday in the First Church of Christ, Bryan, where services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday.

The family suggests tributes to the Alzheimer's Association or Dream Haven, Edgerton, Ohio.