Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, April 13, 1990 TAG: 9004131080
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-2 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: LESLIE TAYLOR STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
U.S. Sen. John Warner announced Thursday that Wayne D. Beaman would not be reappointed as U.S. marshal for the Western District of Virginia, a position he has held for eight years.
Susan Magill, administrative assistant for Warner, said in explaining the decision not to reappoint Beaman that the Bush administration has pushed to rotate marshals.
Bill Dempsey, public information officer for the Marshal Service headquarters in Tysons Corner, said "frankly" he hadn't heard of any push for rotation.
"But it wouldn't surprise me," Dempsey said. "The marshal serves at the will of the president. It's logical that it might be healthy to rotate a marshal particularly after a couple of terms."
Beaman was appointed in 1982 to a four-year term as U.S. marshal for the Western District, which has headquarters in Roanoke. In 1986, President Ronald Reagan reappointed him to a second term.
Contacted Thursday, Beaman said he sought appointment to a third term, but learned last month that he would not be reappointed. Beaman also said he did not learn of the push for rotation until last month.
"I'm very disappointed, but I don't have regret or sour grapes because this is the way the system is set up," Beaman said. "If it weren't for a system like this, I would never have had this grand opportunity."
Beaman, 42, said he will not resign until his successor is sworn in - possiby six months from now - unless he finds another job before then.
"I've put my heart and soul into my job as U.S. marshal and I've not cultivated any other employment at all at this point," Beaman said.
Beaman moved to the marshal's position after being a detective lieutenant in charge of criminal investigations of the Sheriff's Department in Rockingham County. He served in the Marine Corps in Vietnam and was a Virginia state trooper from 1970 to 1972.
In a letter to Warner earlier this month, Beaman said, "For eight years, I have had the distinct pleasure and honor of working for the U.S. Marshals Service, a `people' organization of men and women, many of whom constitute the finest persons found in law enforcement today.
"My daily goal has been to foster and maintain positive law enforcement relations with members of the federal court family, fellow local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, and all sectors of the general public."
Magill said "in no way" was Warner's announcement a reflection of Beaman's performance. "He's done a superb job," she said.
"Wayne Beaman is a dedicated law enforcement officer who is completing eight years of distinguished service to the United States and the citizens of Western Virginia, and he can be proud of a job well done," the senator said in a news release.
Warner encouraged those interested in the vacancy to contact his office.
by CNB