Recently retired Arroyo Grande police chief dies at 50. ‘RIP Chief’
Former Arroyo Grande Police Chief Beau Pryor, who retired from the force in 2020, has died at the age of 50.
Arroyo Grande resident Vivian Krug Cotton announced the news of Pryor’s death on Facebook on Wednesday evening.
“It is with heavy heart to announce the passing of recently retired Arroyo Grande Police Chief Beau Pryor,” she wrote. “He will be missed by many. RIP Chief.”
His cause of death is unknown.
Krug Cotton said flowers or cards can be sent to the family via the Arroyo Grande Police Department, at 200 N. Halcyon Road.
In a statement Thursday morning, City of Arroyo Grande officials thanked Pryor for his years of service to the city.
“Chief Pryor left an indelible mark on the City of Arroyo Grande,” Mayor Caren Ray Russom said. “He was professional above all things, and he showed everyone what being a community leader should look like. He took the AGPD to the next level, and retired having set us up with policies and personnel that will carry us forward for years to come. There are just not enough words of praise to capture his legacy. The city mourns alongside the Pryor family during this devastating time.”
City Manager Whitney McDonald said the City Council and staff send their “deepest condolences to the Pryor family.”
“Our sadness from the loss of Chief Pryor is profound,” McDonald said. “Chief Pryor was a dedicated public servant and leader within our organization and our community, devoted to his family, and committed to making our world safer, more just and equitable. He is missed dearly.”
Pryor served on the Arroyo Grande police force for 26 years, according to the city news release. During that time, he was the South County department’s first full-time motorcycle traffic officer, a Special Response Team member and field training officer.
In 2017, Pryor was chosen to lead the agency as chief.
Pryor retired in July 2020 to spend more time with his family and friends.
“I am very appreciative for all of the support that has been provided to me, my family and all of the outstanding members of your Arroyo Grande Police Department,” Pryor said in a statement announcing his retirement.
He was replaced by current Chief Michael Martinez.
“Chief Pryor was more than an outstanding leader,” Martinez said in a statement Thursday. “He was a great friend who inspired us all. We are fortunate to follow in his footsteps as he created a level of professionalism in our organization that will carry on forever.”
In his final radio call as Arroyo Grande police chief,which was broadcast on the city’s Facebook page, Pryor was thanked for his years of service and wished well in retirement.
“We will miss Chief Pryor as a valued and respected member of our department,” the dispatcher performing the end of watch broadcast said. “Chief Pryor, thank you for your many years of dedicated service protecting the citizens of Arroyo Grande.”
This story was originally published April 22, 2021 at 8:54 AM.
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