Webster County mourns death of WV National Guard member

Beckstrom, Wolfe and other West Virginia Guard troops were deployed as part of President Donald Trump’s crime-fighting mission that federalized the D.C. police force. The president also has deployed National Guard members to other cities to assist with his mass deportation efforts but has faced court challenges.

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro’s office said the charges against Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national who worked with the CIA during the Afghanistan war, now include one count of first-degree murder, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed.

Friday's memorial in Webster Springs was one of three held there over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

On Friday night at Webster Springs City Hall, the room filled quickly as residents, veterans, civic leaders, friends and classmates came together to grieve the loss of a young woman many described as compassionate, steady and fiercely protective of the people she loved.

As people entered, a sign board was set up at the door for attendees to sign, with blue ribbons available to take and wear in support of Beckstrom’s family. A local high school student sat beside the table making additional ribbons as more people arrived.

After taking their seats, everyone was asked to step forward and form a circle near the front of the room where the displays of Beckstrom and Wolfe were arranged beside the podium. At the end of the vigil, candles were distributed and lit. The soft glow settled over the circle as the community shared a final moment of silence.

What they said

Speakers included state Sens. Robbie Morris, R-Randolph, and Bill Hamilton, R-Upshur (both of whom represent parts of Webster County), representatives from the Governor’s Office and local religious leaders. Morris told those gathered that tragedies like this “never come at a good time,� noting how the holiday season tends to make loss feel harder.

He called Beckstrom “an outstanding person� and said the state stands firmly behind the Beckstrom and Wolfe families.

“West Virginia has always answered the call,� he said, noting that Beckstrom graduated high school just two years before choosing to serve her country. "'Leader,' 'kind,' 'compassionate.' Those are the words used to describe Sarah.�

Hamilton read John 15:13 from the Bible: "No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends." Hamilton added, “This verse is a reminder that laying down one’s life for others is the greatest act of love, and Sarah has done just that.�

Justin Arvon, speaking on behalf of Gov. Patrick Morrisey, read a prepared statement calling Beckstrom a “proud West Virginian.� Arvon said flags had been lowered to half-staff across the state earlier in the day. The statement described Beckstrom's dedication to her fellow Guardsmen and her willingness to put the safety of others before her own.

'She was a peacekeeper'

After a prayer from local religious leader Jimmy Utt, a moment of silence was held. Candles flickered as heads bowed, many wiping tears as they held their lights close. The crowd joined in several verses of “Amazing Grace,� followed by the Lord’s Prayer.

For many who attended, the vigil was not just about the circumstances of Beckstrom’s death, but about the young woman they knew before she put on the uniform. Friends described her as someone who tried to avoid conflict and worked to keep peace among the people around her.

“She never wanted anyone fighting,� one friend said. “If there was ever tension, she was the one who tried to calm things down. She was a peacekeeper.�

Shawn Bragg, the ROTC instructor at Webster County High School, remembered when Beckstrom first came to him interested in joining the military.

Bragg said he also had Beckstrom's younger sister, Nicole, in the program for a couple of years. “She was a good kid,� he said. “I heard Sarah was pretty protective of her little sister, and I believe she was.�

Another longtime friend who attended the vigil said Beckstrom’s closest relationship was with her younger sister.

“We were never her best friends,� she said with a small smile. “Her best friend was her sister.�

Those who knew Beckstrom said protecting Nicole was one of her defining traits. That same protective instinct carried into her workplace.

Angie Cowger, owner of the Custard Stand in Webster Springs, said Beckstrom worked for her from 2021 to 2023, overlapping for a period with Nicole. Cowger described Beckstrom as motivated and dependable, but said her most notable quality was how seriously she looked out for her sister and co-workers.

“She wanted all the best for Nicole,� Cowger said. “She wanted to make sure she was doing the right things and being around good people. Just like a normal big sister, but Sarah meant it. She was vigilant.�

Cowger added that Beckstrom did not hesitate to speak up if she thought someone was being mistreated or if something felt wrong.

“She watched out for others. Sarah was exactly the kind of soldier you would want to protect you — strong, vigilant and determined. The world will be a little less bright without her.�

Beckstrom helped a fellow Guard member

Jamie Cox of Task Force Mountaineer, who worked with Beckstrom in Washington, D.C., said Beckstrom had been scheduled to have the day off in Washington but switched shifts so another Guard member could spend Thanksgiving with their family.

“She was wonderful, compassionate, solid,� Cox said. “Very dedicated. I took care of all the West Virginia soldiers, and she was one of my babies.�

Her decision to step in that day, Cox said, was the kind of person she was, someone who put others first without hesitation.

Local retired National Guard member Kathryn Buwalda said the loss is felt across generations of service members.

“Even if you don’t know them, we’re still all brothers and sisters,� she said. “There’s a connection that is hard to explain to people who have never served. It’s a shame she had her life cut short in its prime. She never got to go to college, get married, have kids.�

Webster County Commissioner Jim Cutlip said the community has been overwhelmed by both local and national support. “The turnout shows how much she meant to people,� he said.

A representative from Dodd & Reed Funeral Home in Webster Springs confirmed it had been contacted by the family and will handle the arrangements. No service date has been set.