Officer McLane Beckstead is originally from Spanish Fork, Utah. He enjoys mountain biking, Star Wars, and photography.

Be assured that he has what it takes to be a Police Officer here in Santaquin. He lived in Russia for two years while on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 2014 to 2016.

He joined the Santaquin Police Department in 2021 and moved into our beautiful city with his caring wife Cheyenne. Since then, he has been an invaluable asset to the PD and the city.

It’s public record how much police officers get paid for their service. It’s also public knowledge that they don’t get rich from it. Despite this, they valiantly put their lives at risk to answer when duty calls them to the scene of an accident or crime.

When asked why he chose to serve, Officer Beckstead confessed that had he not married Cheyenne, he likely would have joined the military.

He recounted visiting the September 11 Memorial Museum in New York City. What he felt there, while remembering those who gave their lives that fateful day, changed him.

He recalled a story of an NYPD officer who had turned in his retirement papers on the morning of 9/11, yet still climbed that burning building and died saving the lives of his fellow man, those that he didn’t even know, yet didn’t think twice about himself.

Officer McLane Beckstead drew an analogy to that story, saying that each of us experience those moments where our lives are on fire and we need help out of the darkness. He said that he wants to be the man who will help people in need and not think twice about himself.

On behalf of Santaquin, we thank Officer Beckstead for his service.

The fourteen full-time police officers of Santaquin are some of the Living Heroes that this Journal will highlight and recognize as pillars of order and peace in this community.

We will also recognize the other public servants that make this City great, as possible; the teachers, principals, city employees, and representatives.