Beard served as U.S. Marine Sergeant

Nathan Beard left active military service as an U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant. RECORD PHOTOS/GREGG L. PARKER

MADISON – Nathan Beard served his country in the U.S. Marine Corp and now serves his community as an officer in Madison Police Department.

Beard entered Marine Corps boot camp at Parris Island, S.C. in January 1997 and left active service in 2002 as a sergeant.

After boot camp, Beard entered Marine Combat Training at Camp Geiger, N.C. and then went to Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla. for Aviation Electrician School.

“I was assigned to MALS 14 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C. as an Intermediate Aviation Electrician. During my time in the Marine Corps, I deployed with the 22nd MEU aboard the USS Bataan for a six-month deployment in the Mediterranean Sea,” Beard said.

In addition, he performed several Combined Arms Exercises in 29 Palms, Calif.

During his service, Beard received several honors. He earned the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Adriatic Sea), Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal and Meritorious Unit Commendation.

In addition, he received a Letter of Appreciation and three Meritorious Masts.

Currently, he serves as a Lieutenant with Madison Police Department. “I’m the second-shift commander. I also serve as department K-9 unit supervisor. I oversee all police functions for the second shift time (2 to 10 p.m.) and training and deployment of the department K-9s,” Beard said.

In 2002, Beard moved to Madison to live near his family. Beard has two children, Caleb and Leah, who live in Toney.

For his special interests, Beard previously volunteered with the Young Marines. “I also assist in teaching women in the community in self-defense classes offered by the police department,” he said.

An outdoorsman, Beard likes working with dogs, riding horses, fishing and bird hunting. He holds an associate’s degree from Columbia College in criminal justice.