Abington Detective Leaves Force To Become Montco Investigator

ABINGTON, PA — Abington Township is losing a longtime public servant, but Montgomery County will be gaining a qualified investigator with decades of top-notch law enforcement experience.

The Abington Police Department announced this week that Detective Rick Beaghley, a longtime fixture on the force, will be leaving his job to take a position as a Montgomery County detective.

Beaghley will be working for the Montgomery County Detective Bureau, which falls under the umbrella of the District Attorney's Office.

Beaghley, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, joined the Abington Township Police Department back in 1996, according to a professional bio from the department.

During that time, he served in various capacities — from patrol officer, field training officer and bike officer to member of the county's narcotics team and as a local detective.

Throughout his career in Abington, Beaghley received a number of commendations for his work, which included investigating cases involving organized crime and complex drug distribution rings, according to the department.

During his time as an Abington Special Investigations Unit detective, Beaghley was behind the investigations of some high-profile career criminals, the department said, with many of the cases spanning multiple jurisdictions and involving police officers from the local, state and federal levels.

Beaghley started working with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force back in 2012, his work leading him to be considered a prominent authority on forensic analysis and online crimes.

He became highly sought after for his Internet investigatory prowess, and he often coordinated complex investigations with law enforcement from throughout the Greater Philadelphia region, according to Abington.

"He and members of his task force were responsible for removing countless child sex offenders and other dangerous felons from our streets," Abington Police said in a statement.

The department said Beaghley also was the recipient of numerous commendations for his outstanding police work while serving in the patrol and detective divisions at Abington, with one honor coming after he kicked down a door back in 2002 to help save the life of a 12-year-old girl who was suffering from multiple stab wounds.

While Beaghley is stepping down from his position in Abington, the department said it would likely continue to work with him after he starts his new position as an investigator at the county level.