Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

One of Our Own
Dedicated to the Memory
Of
Deputy Brian S. Etheridge

On the morning of his recruit graduation
He took an oath to serve and protect
And joined a proud tradition
When he became
One of Our Own

And for all too short a time
He took his place by our side
Taking a stand against evil and crime
Serving with honor
One of Our Own

It was a beautiful fall day
When he made his last call
All too soon he went away
When we lost
One of Our Own

With great sorrow we mourn him
The true friend and brother we have lost
Let his memory never dim
For he will forever be
One of Our Own

Sgt. Oscar R. Thomasson
Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office

October 14, 2009

May you rest in peace brother, words are of little solice at a time like this, but you are in our prayers.

Detective Sergeant Harmen Wouda
Winnipeg Police Service, Canada.

October 14, 2009

May you rest in peace, Sir! You will never be forgotten.

Police Officer

October 13, 2009

REST IN PEACE, BROTHER
PROVINCIAL CONSTABLE MARTY LALONDE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE

PROVINCIAL CONSTABLE MARTY LALONDE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE

October 12, 2009

Rest in peace Deputy Etheridge, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you very much for your service!

Shelly
Citizen

October 11, 2009

Thoughts and prayers are with your family and your agency. RIP Brother in Blue. May your killer ROT in HELL!

Police Officer D. Kirk #309
Round Lake Heights PD (IL)

October 10, 2009

My thoughts & prayers are with your family, friends, & Agency. May you sleep easy with God, Brian. We thank you for your Service, Sir. You will NEVER be forgotten.

Sgt. Trey Pellizzari
Texas Dept of Public Safety/Commercial Vehicle Enforcement--Garland

October 10, 2009

Brian, everyone has replayed the events of that tragic day a thousand times over; wishing there was something we could have done different. We try to draw comfort in knowing that everything was out of our hands. We will never know how many officers you saved by your own brave actions and we shall remain forever grateful. Rest easy brother, we will carry on, but we will never forget.

Deputy Antle, J.M.
Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office

October 10, 2009

Brian, rest easy brother. Your watch is done. We'll take it from here.

DHS Class of 2001

Chief Jeremy Billman
Udall Police Department

October 9, 2009

My father, Officer Donald Gamblin Jr, was a Shawnee, Ks Police Officer killed in the line of duty in 1991. My heart goes out to the Deputy's family, and department. A Husband, son, father, HERO was lost. God bless all of you. You will always be in my heart and prayers. We are all family of the thin blue line

Matt Gamblin EMT I/D Deputy Coroner
Miami County EMS, Kansas

October 8, 2009

My squad read your tragic story in briefing yesterday. I thought about you throughout the entire shift. I didnt know you and I have never even been to Kansas yet your story has made us safer. You did not die in vain. Rest easy brother.

Officer
Tucson Police Department

October 8, 2009

rest in peace Deputy are Thoughts are with Your Family and the Big Blue As A Brother to All Law manAnd woman.

Chief Kelly Post
Stockton Police Dept

October 8, 2009

May Deputy Brian S. Etheridge rest in peace and may we pray for the protection of those in uniform who continue to keep our families safe and secure on the homefront around the USA. God bless Deputy Etheridge's family and friends and give them strength to move forward while keeping their memories of him in their hearts and souls.

Lieutenant Colonel Stephanie Jung
United States Army

October 8, 2009

My thoughts are with all of your loved ones during this very trying time. I ask that all of your close friends and brothers and sisters in blue, keep your family close to them and assist them whenever possible. You are a true hero and will never be forgotten. Keep watch over all of your loved ones.

Bob Gordon
Father of Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

October 8, 2009

Brian - We're all so proud of you! You will be missed greatly!

Amanda
Brian's cousin

October 7, 2009

Your senseless death and your photo reminds us so much of our son and the circumstances surrounding his death. May the Good Lord hold your family close in the palm of his hand, during these dark days ahead. Thank you, Deputy Etheridge, for your service and sacrifice. We salute you, sir.

Karen Highbarger
Mom- Peace Officer Christopher Nicholson-EOW 12-19-07

October 7, 2009

Though I never knew him, he was part of my Law Enforcement family, and I will mourn this deep loss the rest of my life. My heart aches with all the losses we have suffered, and continue to suffer, through the years. God is our only peace in such incidents & our only real comfort comes from Him. May His strength, comfort & peace continue to be the sustaining force in the lives of all who knew this beloved officer; and may it somehow help to know they do not grieve alone.

Vicki Hare, Telecommunicator
Salisbury NC PD

October 7, 2009

Rest in peace Deputy. My thoughts are with your family and friends, and the members of the SCSO during this most difficult and tragic time.

Lt. Joseph Ward, Ret.
Jackson, NJ PD

October 6, 2009

To the family remember this, God only takes the very best. God Bless you brother. Rest in peace and know that we will carry on in remembrance of you.

Trooper 319
Kansas Highway Patrol

October 6, 2009

As I look at this Officers photo it is so hard not to cry, looking at him you can tell he is a perfect Husband, Father, and a Son. To all in your family I will say a prayer for Brian and my cops we lost over the years each night. May God bless you and know that Brian is in Heavens fraternity for Officers and he is in good hands and will be always looking after you all as if he was still with you.

God Bless.

Ret. Sgt. Jim Arrington
Baltimore county Police

October 6, 2009

My thoughts and prayers are with Deputy Ehtridge's family and friends, as well as the entire community. What a great loss this will be to everyone. Thank you for being a hero and putting your life on the line to protect us all. You are truely a legend that will never be forgotten. Your family must be so proud. Rest In Peace, Brian. Gone but never forgotten.

Daughter of Kansas Sheriff

October 6, 2009

Praying for your family.

Sgt.
OCPD

October 6, 2009

We pray for peace & healing for your family. We acknowledge your ultimate sacrifice, but recognize our own mortality, asking God to help us accept the things we cannot change. Your brother officers & sisters will now carry your tour, rest well Deputy Etheridge, you are covered.

Sr. Security Specialist J B Hamblin
Seymour PD 88-04/Fed Ex Security

October 6, 2009

In Honor of your Sacrifice and for your family and friends, I salute you as a HERO!

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

October 6, 2009

Brother Brian,

Please keep the gates of heaven open for the rest of us.

RIP my Brother

Cpl. Robert l. Padgett ( RET. )
Charles County Sheriff,s Office, Md.

October 6, 2009