In November of 1914, about two years after statehood, Charles M. Beckham, was elected one of area's first Constables. The Town Marshal and the County Constable enforced laws in Chandler, along with surrounding areas of his district, including Gilbert. Early on, Beckham solved a burglary at the N.L. Nowell store in Gilbert, where the safe was blown up. Constable Beckham had an honorable career for about ten years but in 1924, he was convicted of aiding and abetting escapees from the Florence State Prison. Source: "Chandler Arizonan" newspaper