Type of Officer: Deputy Sheriff
Jurisdiction: Sedgwick County
County: Sedgwick
Death Date: 9/28/2009
Added to Memorial: 2010
Circumstances of death: Gunshot
On Monday, September 28, 2009, Sedgwick County Deputy Sheriff Brian Etheridge was dispatched to a residence in Sedgwick County to take a larceny report. While he was at the residence trying to make contact with the calling party, he was ambushed and shot once in the back with a high-powered rifle. The bullet penetrated his protective vest. Although severely wounded, Deputy Etheridge was able to radio for help. As officers were responding, his attacker was able to obtain Deputy Etheridge’s weapon and shoot him a second time with the deputy’s own gun. Deputies arrived and were able to pull Deputy Etheridge to safety. He was taken by ambulance to the hospital where he later died from his wounds. During the search by law enforcement officers to apprehend Deputy Etheridge’s attacker, the suspect shot at those officers. The officers returned fire, striking the suspect. He later died at the hospital of his wounds. Brian Etheridge was 26 years old at the time of his death. He had served the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Department since July 7, 2008. Deputy Etheridge leaves a wife, Sarah, and their two-year-old daughter, Natalie.
Panel: 30