Local News

A Grants Pass man was jailed for multiple crimes last night after he assaulted a police officer who was investigating an alleged restraining order violation.

The Grants Pass Police Department reports 51-year-old William Henrey Beshears, II, was arrested outside a Redwood Avenue bar on Thursday at 8:37 p.m..

Police said a woman called 9-1-1 to report that she was the protected party in an active restraining order with Beshears as the respondent. Beshears was prohibited from having any contact with the woman, but he reportedly sent her a letter. He was known to frequent the bar, so he was contacted there and denied ever sending the letter.

With evidence that Beshears did send the letter, officers told Beshears he was under arrest before he was placed in handcuffs and escorted to a patrol vehicle. That's when he put his foot on the side step and head-butted an officer before the officer took him to the ground by using a hip toss maneuver. Additional officers arrived on scene to help secure the suspect.

William Beshears was subsequently lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Assault on a Public Safety Officer, Resisting Arrest and Contempt of Court-Restraining Order Violation. He was being held without bail.