Chief of Police James W. Ethridge
Branchville Police Department
South Carolina
End of Watch: Saturday, June 30, 1951

Biographical Info
Age: 39
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Saturday, June 30, 1951
Weapon Used: Shotgun
Suspect Info: Executed in 1951

Chief James Ethridge was shot to death as he entered a cafe near the Branchville Depot where he went to quell a disturbance.

A 22 year-old man went into a rage and opened fire with a shotgun when the cafe juke box failed to play the record he had selected. Chief Ethridge and a bystander were killed instantly. Five other persons were wounded, including a five-year-old boy. Shortly after the shooting the suspect surrendered to a state trooper.

The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and executed in the electric chair on November 16, 1951.