The Maine Attorney General’s Office has found that two Lincoln police officers were justified in shooting and killing a man on Feb. 12.
Derek Beach, 37, died from multiple gunshot wounds, according to the state medical examiner.
On Jan. 14, 2025, Beach was involved in a domestic incident with his estranged wife, who later obtained a protection from abuse order barring him from contacting her or their children or returning to their home, according to the AG’s office.
Shortly after being served, Beach contacted family members in violation of the order and was taken into protective custody for a mental health evaluation. He was later arrested and released on bail with the same restrictions.
On Feb. 12, dispatchers received several 911 calls reporting that Beach was at the home with a knife. Two adults and Beach’s two children were inside when he forced his way in, the AG’s office said.
Sgt. Michael Winslow and Officer Kristofer Milner arrived to find Beach injured in the chest and holding a knife. The attorney general’s office found that officers tried to de-escalate, but Beach refused to drop the knife. After officers used a Taser on him, he charged at them, and they fired their guns.
Beach died at the scene.