Hillsborough County honors Malcolm Beard's life of public service

TAMPA, Fla. (FOX 13) - In Hillsborough County, Malcolm Beard is remembered as the sheriff who enacted change in the community.

Those who served under him and who knew him personally said Beard was respected, loved, and known for setting a positive example.

On Saturday, the community said an emotional farewell to the man whose legacy runs deep throughout the state of Florida.

"Tampa and Hillsborough County are better today because of Malcolm Beard," said Emiliano Jose Salcines, a former Hillsborough State Attorney.

After serving in the Navy during World War II, Beard went on to join the Tampa Police Department in the 1940s.

"He was an incredible character. He had tremendous values, he lived by principles. He was one of those people who, day in and day out, did the right thing," said David Gee, a retired Hillsborough County Sheriff.

Beard then spent four consecutive terms as the Hillsborough County Sheriff, resigning in 1978 to serve on the Florida House of Representatives and later in the Florida Senate.

"He's a guy who came in during a turbulent time in the '60s. He was well respected by everyone in the community," said Gee. "During the different things that were going on in Tampa, Malcolm Beard was the go-to guy."

As family and friends said their final goodbyes, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office also gathered to pay respects to the man who revolutionized the office.

"Whether it was a sheriff of this county, the house of representatives or being a state senator, this is a man who epitomized public safety and dedicated his life to the betterment of not only our county but the entire state of Florida," said Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister.

Beard died on January 3,  just one week before his 100th birthday.