Retired Police Officer Visits Every Presidential Gravesite

Russell Beckman shares his unique experiences and insights from traveling to the final resting places of U.S. presidents.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Russell Beckman, a retired Kenosha police officer, has visited the gravesites of all but one U.S. president. In an interview with WTMJ's Libby Collins, Beckman discussed his most interesting experiences, including feeling a surprising connection to the grave of the controversial President Richard Nixon and being struck by the elaborate mausoleum built for the lesser-known President Warren Harding.

Why it matters

Beckman's travels to presidential gravesites provide a unique perspective on the legacies and final resting places of America's commanders-in-chief. His insights shed light on how the public remembers and honors past presidents, even those who were controversial or lesser-known figures.

The details

Beckman, a self-described presidential history buff, has made it his mission to visit the gravesites of all U.S. presidents. During his travels, he was struck by the gravesite of Richard Nixon, a president often reviled for the Watergate scandal. Beckman recalled being moved by Nixon's farewell speech as a child and felt a personal connection when visiting his grave. Beckman was also surprised by the elaborate mausoleum built for President Warren Harding in Marion, Ohio, which he felt was "a little overdone" for a relatively obscure president.

  • Beckman visited Nixon's gravesite and reflected on watching Nixon's resignation speech as a 12-year-old in August 1974.
  • Beckman recently visited the gravesite of Warren Harding in Marion, Ohio.

The players

Russell Beckman

A retired Kenosha police officer who has visited the gravesites of all but one U.S. president.

Richard Nixon

The 37th president of the United States, who resigned from office in 1974 amid the Watergate scandal.

Warren Harding

The 29th president of the United States, known for his obscurity but who has an elaborate mausoleum built for his gravesite in Marion, Ohio.

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What they’re saying

“Unless you've been in the deepest valley, you cannot appreciate the magnificence of the highest mountain.”

— Richard Nixon (WTMJ)

“I'm thinking, Warren Harding is obscure, but yet he has this huge cathedral that he built to himself. And I thought to myself that maybe it might be a little overdone.”

— Russell Beckman, Retired Kenosha Police Officer (WTMJ)

What’s next

Beckman plans to continue his quest to visit the gravesite of the one remaining president he has not yet seen.

The takeaway

Beckman's travels to presidential gravesites provide a unique perspective on how the public remembers and honors past presidents, even those who were controversial or lesser-known figures. His insights highlight the diversity of presidential legacies and the varied ways in which they are memorialized.