Mattawan police officer Scot Beyerstedt died after crashing his vehicle during a high-speed chase. The accident happened just after 9 p.m. Monday near the intersection of Red Arrow Highway and 24th Street, just north of Mattawan. The officers were trying to stop a vehicle for reckless driving. That's when their cruiser went off the road along the 49000 block of 24th Street and hit a tree.

Police say the car was going between 80 and 90 miles per hour when the driver lost control. Both officers were taken to Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo. Twenty-one-year-old Scot Beyerstedt was driving and not wearing his seat belt. He died Tuesday afternoon from his injuries. He had been on the force for two weeks.

Twenty-nine-year-old Scott Hutchins is in fair condition. He has been with the Mattawan Police Department for seven years. Police are still looking for the car that the officers were pursuing, as well as its occupants. The vehicle is a blue Ford Escort with Michigan license plate YYE 329. Police say it's what they call an improper plate, meaning that it doesn't match the person or the car it's registered to.

If you have any information about this incident you're asked to call the Michigan State Police in Paw Paw at (269) 657-5551, the Mattawan Police Department at (269) 668-3661, or the Van Buren County Sheriff's Department at (269) 657-3101.

Agency Information:
Mattawan Police Department
24221 Front Ave
Mattawan, MI 49071
Phone: 269-668-3661

 

It is very hard to hear about an officer killed in the line of duty. I am very sorry for your loss. He will always be remembered in our hearts and prayers.

Cadet for the Tohono O'oldham Tribal Police, AZ
Cadet J. Morales
Moralesj842001@yahoo.com

Date: 09/27/2005
Time: 12:42 PM



To a Fallen hero: Prayers go out to our family, a hero to all.

Police Officer, J. Crisenbery
Memphis, MI P.D.

Date: 09/13/2005
Time: 02:09 AM



He was so young, My heart goes out to his family

Krista Truitt
krista76374@comcast.net
criminal justice student, TX

Date: 09/01/2005
Time: 01:13 AM



I would like to send my condolences to Scots family and co workers. I went to high school with him, and he is the fourth person of my class to die in the last 4 months. I am proud that he got to persye his dream at least for a little while. He will be greatly missed.

I am proud to have people like you watching out for people like me. I have the the greatest respect for all police officers, you are all my heroes.

Childhood friend
Jenni Hoddel
fucbug@yahoo.com

Date: 08/08/2005
Time: 12:39 PM



Reading about Officer Beyerstedt really caught my attention because I am a 20 year old who hopes to pursue a police academy in the next year. My first day of work, I will think of Officer Beyerstedt, and as I'm sure he did, be proud of who and what I will be at that time- an officer. My condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of Officer Beyerstedt.

Katherine Clark
Currently Criminal Justice College Student
mobygrape2002@yahoo.com
 

Date: 08/07/2005
Time: 04:44 PM



I am very sorry of the loss of Police Officer Scot Beyerstedt. I cried when I saw his story on America's Most Wanted. May his family take comfort in knowing that God needed another angel whose smile would melt a persons heart, and Scot was the one. Also God Bless all of the officers who sacrifice their lives everyday. You are all angels!

Jennifer Watts
jenlisa8@hotmail.com

Date: 08/07/2005
Time: 11:18 AM



2 Young 2 Be Forgotten. May you fulfill your mission and your dreams in Heaven, and know that you will be reunited with your loved ones someday in that Higher Realm. My prayers and deepest condolences to the family and friends who knew and loved Officer Scot.

It is heartbreaking to lose one so young, with a heart filled with dream, and promise. He barely had a chance to whisper as to what he should have become, before he was taken from us all. I urge all Departments not to allow the newbie's to drive chase cars at such high rates of speed, until they have more defensive driving experience, and driving experience in general. This is a needless loss!

Christy Kuppler
katwoman@exit109.com
Ocean Gate, NJ

Date: 08/07/2005
Time: 09:57 AM



May the duty belt you wear in Heaven protect us.

Police Officer, Juan J. Valenzuela
JUANCMANEY@HOTMAIL.COM

Date: 07/30/2005
Time: 03:13 PM



Our prayer are with the family. We are truly sorry about the lost. We truly appreciated him when he worked for Cassopolis PD. We will miss him dearly.

Deputy Sheriff, D. Giddings
Cass Co. Sheriff's Dept.

Date: 07/29/2005
Time: 10:44 PM



Are prayers are with you and will NEVER BE FORGOTTEN

Lt..Alex Newton
Lapeer county sheriff department explorers, MI
lcfr343@yahoo.com
www.explorers.cjb.net



To all officers: May God bless each and every Law Enforcement Officer. Our prayers are always that you all return home safely after your shift is over. We pray that one day you will get the respect that you so deserve. Be blessed!

Linda SImmons Thomas
Sister of officer; EOW 7-10-04



May you rest in Peace our brother. May God Bless you and your family and all of your Law Enforcement Family.

Not only did the Police Department lose a hero but the entire nation lost one of our finest.
God Bless America and all those who Serve And Protect worldwide.

Respectfully:
Senior Chaplain Arthur J MArtinez-DD
MASTER CHAPLAIN FELLOWSHIP MINISTRIES
TEMPLE TEXAS, NEW MEXICO



My heart goes out to the family, I myself am the Ex wife of a Deputy Sheriff with 3 children. Just want her to know I'm thinking about them. And my prayers go out to the family. Also to Parents who should not be going through this. Rest In Peace.

Linda Sanchez, Covina CA
mextexincali_1@yahoo.com



I AM VERY SORRY FOR ALL THE OFFICERS THAT HAVE BEEN KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY. IT
 IS VERY SAD WHEN YOU HERE ABOUT COPS GETTING KILLED. KEEP YOUR EYES ON GOD, AND EVERYTHING WILL BE FINE. EVERY COP IN THE U.S. ARE LIKE BROTHERS AND SISTERS
TO ME. AND AGAIN I'M SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS, AND ALWAYS KEEP YOUR EYES ON GOD.

BOSSIER PARISH SHERIFF OFFICE
Deputy Sheriff, THOMAS TEUTSCH

TANKERONE@BELLSOUTH.NET

WWW.BOSSIERSHERIFF.ORG



TO A BROTHER: YOU will NEVER be FORGOTTEN for you did something that no one else would do .
Rest in peace and watch over all of use walking the beat in heaven!!!!

Cdt. A/B Jordan Hickle
RPD (OHIO) and Airforce
marineboy09538@yahoo.com



I reflect, and remember:
All gave some
And some gave all
Some stood through
For the red, white and blue
And some had to fall
And if you ever think of me
Think of all your liberties
And recall Some gave all. (unknown writer)

APD/Cincy Children's Hospital, KY
Officer, Joe Wilder
deputy1978@hotmail.com



I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My prayers are with you. I am a surviving wife and know first hand all of the emotional turmoil you must be going through. If I can be of any help please let me know. May God Bless You All.

With love, Gina Sharra-Surviving wife of Deputy Allen Sharra E.O.W 12-27-99

Gina Sharra, MI
ginasharra2002@yahoo.com
family survivor



Our thoughts and prayers are with the family they will never be forgotten. May you rest in peace.

Panama City Police Dept.
Police Officer, James and Shannon Williams, FL



All give some but some give ALL. Our condolences to the family. You maybe 10-7 but you will NEVER be forgotten.

All SHEP members
Sterling Heights, MI Emergency Patrol
Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the deceased



US Federal Police (Retired) NV
Chief of Police, Tom Savage
copone@cox.net



My prayers are with the families of all the fallen officers

FORT WAYNE, IN CITY POLICE RETIRED
SGT IRVIN LINDSEY
sargent1934@yahoo.com



I am so sorry to hear the death of this fine and young and courageous officer and also my deeply condolences to their family. I will pray for their family to god for their safety. God have mercy on their soul.....

Private Detective
Mirza Mukarram Beg, FL
muki_71@hotmail.com



As a Law Enforcement Officer myself I am sorry to hear about the lost of one my brother or sister Law Enforcement Officer. My heart goes out to the family of all fallen Officers.

Police Officer Martin Lee
jasperpd203@yahoo.com
JASPER POLICE DEPT. FL



My prayers are with the family. My brother is a police officer that was also shot numerous times on March 27, 2004 at 10 am and was know by Kevin. I still have my brother, but lord really watched over him and still is.. I pray every night for the families GOD BLESS YOU ALL....

GOD Bless every officer, EMT, Firefighter and all.... You are in our prayers DAILY

Tracey Collins
tcollins27@bellsouth.net
Malvern, AL



It is not how hey died, but how hey lived that makes them a hero. Gone but not forgotten.

Private Security Officer
Quinn Wyse, CANADA
quinn_wyse1@hotmail.com



God bless brother/sister, continue patrol through the heaven's gate. We'll do the same out here in the City of the Angels (Los Angeles, CA).

Los Angeles Police Department, CA
Police Officer, Jeff Collado
JEPEEDY@HOTMAIL.COM



Rest in peace, god protect you and your family

Sergeant Kevin Young, NYCPD
kpyoun29@verizon.net



To My Fallen Law Enforcement Brother there are many men and woman, who will arise to the occasion of "Keeping America's Highway's Safe." "God will be there for your family, trust me," So, I say to you now that you have the best job now of being a "Highway Trooper for Heaven, Protecting God's Highways To Him."

Mark Scott
Private Security Officer, CA
yodatwolf@yahoo.com



I'm really sorry, when a police officer dies a guard angel dies too. Molly live forever in the mind of all
cops of the world (and every cops fallen in action). Edgar Solera Ex sergeant of police
(Costa Rica, Guardia Civil)

Government Agent, Guardia Civil, Costa Rica
Edgar Solera
edgarsoleramontero@yahoo.com



Our prayers are with the family

US Federal Police (Retired) NV
Chief of Police, Tom Savage
copone@cox.net



My deepest sympathy and prayers are with the family.

Fred Cog
Bailiff, NY



I am sorry for the deep loss to the family, friends and comrades.

US Federal Police (Retired) NV
Chief of Police, Tom Savage
copone@cox.net



The easiest way for evil to triumph, is for good men to do nothing....Edmund Burke. There are people who think that we do the job to be heroes, or for personal gain. They could never understand that it is about the person next to you.

Reserve Officer, Sergeant Aaron King
Josephine County Sheriffs Office, OR
akingermx@hotmail.com



It is abundantly clear that ALL of your fallen officers shared a common thread - they were of the highest caliber yet modest and unassuming in the approach of their duties. I believe that for as long as such
men and women patrol your streets with such commitment and professionalism, then you have much to be proud of. My heart goes out to all the bereaved families, but be assured, there is someone in "every" corner of the world who cares!

Don W.
Howling@thesilverymoon.fsnet.co.uk
Wildlife Protection Ranger (UK)
Gloucestershire, United Kingdom



May your family find peace and strength.  I know how it feels to lose a family member in the line of duty.  My prayers are with you.  They will be blessed for all that they did for us while they were here and now they can all watch over us.

Lauren, LA
summer8219@hotmail.com



Your job on earth is done and you are safely in God's hands. You are now our guardian angel who watches over us in heaven. Your family and fellow officers are in our prayers. God bless.

Beverly "Jake" Smith, Retired Reserve Officer
Gainesville Police Dept. FL
smithbc@ci.gainesville.fl.us



Walk tall, walk tall and protect us from above with honor and dignity. May you lead the charge for
citizens right in heaven as you did here on earth

Darrell Thompson
Privet Security Officer St. Clair Co. MI,
Community College Campus Patrol #14
darrell@policespecial.com
www.sc4.edu



Rest in peace, and may God allow him to keep watch over us on earth while he patrols his beat
in heaven. Our prayers go out to the Officer's Department family and friends. May they all find peace in their hearts soon.

From all the Staff at Police Special Inc.