Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Susie, I was still living next door to you, Sam and the girls then. I have not ever forgotten about him at Christmas or anytime I hear of an officer down it brings back that awful morning's news recieved. I remember my mom and Gene trying to comfort you.

I remember how numb and in shock we were that Christmas morning. He was a wonderful and special man that gave his life protecting and serving the community he loved and served. I hope you and the girls are doing well.

God Bless
Bonnie

BD

July 20, 2023

Officer, Sam E Etheredge, Jr
Tour of duty with Daytona Beach Police Department 10 years…
Badge number 16, now retired
Age at EOW… 34 years old
EOW 12/25/1980
survived by:
His wife and middle school & high school sweethearts since 1960…
SUSIE ETHEREDGE
DAUGHTER: Michele ETHEREDGE
Daughter: Samantha ETHEREDGE

Wife: Susie ETHEREDGE

October 16, 2022

Officer Etheredge Jr., may you continue to Rest in Peace with Our Lord & Savior. Your service and sacrifice is not forgotten, it is honored, remembered, and have paved the way for so many of us who have put on this uniform and badge and proudly served the citizen and visitors of our great city, the City of Daytona Beach, Florida. Rest well brother and continue to watch over us.

Lieutenant Kelsey Harris
Daytona Beach Police Department

October 14, 2022

There is not a day that goes by that I don’t miss my dad . He made the ultimate sacrifice doing what he loved so much protecting his city! I will always be so very proud to be your daughter! Love you

Sam’s Daughter Michele Etheredge-Smith
(Civilian) employed by Daytona Beach Police Department

May 14, 2022

I worked at Jai-Alai back in the late 70’s and Officer Etheridge worked security. Being a valet parker they kept an eye on us . He was a really great guy back then and I enjoyed talking to him.

Thomas Pierce

July 16, 2021

Rest in peace Officer Etheridge.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 25, 2019

This was my friend's father. The offender is listed as "shot and killed." That is not accurate. The offender, the murderer, Joseph C. Johnson, was sentenced to 75 years in prison. His DOB is 12/01/52 and he is a white male. After serving ONLY 38 years of his sentence, he is scheduled to be released from Florida State Prison on 07/08/2019. Sam's wife and their two daughters have spent 38 Christmases without their father. They have been failed miserably by the system.

K. Sisk, Reserve Deputy
UCSO

July 5, 2019

Rest in peace Officer Etheredge.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 24, 2018

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

May 23, 2018

The Daytona Beach News Journal just did a wonderful story on you and the circumstances surrounding your end of watch. I'm glad I was able to read it and learn more about you. I've done some research on those whose watches have ended in Volusia County and your name is one of the ones that I've always remembered. Please continue watching over us down here that continue to fight the good fight.

Officer Robert J. Culver
Holly Hill Police Department, Volusia County, Florida

December 25, 2017

Went to rookie school with Sam. Always in a good mood with a smile on his face. Think of him often, especially around Christmas. I am now retired after serving Volusia County for 30 years. RIP Sam.

Cpl. Randy Wilson
Volusia County Florida Sheriff's Office

April 26, 2016

I was living in Ormond Beach and was 14 years old when you gave your life protecting others. One year later my family relocated to North Carolina and I have never forgotten the sacrifice you and your family made. Your memory and the prayers for your family always intensify during this time of year. I am now 49 years old and have been a policeman for 27 years. I work patrol and will again work this Christmas with a wife and children at home. Your sacrifice has kept me vigilant all these years and has probably saved my life and spared my family suffering.

May you continue to rest in peace and may God protect and comfort your family. You will never be forgotten!

Sergeant Ricky Parks
Rocky Mount Police Department, NC.

December 18, 2015

May God keep you with him and bless your family for your sacrifice! Rest in Peace!

Brendan Kilroe

January 29, 2014

Continue to rest in peace Officer Etheredge, we will never forget the heroes who gave their all for us, and you sir are a hero..

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02
Union County SO, Lake Butler, FL

December 25, 2012

Rest in Peace, Officer Etheredge. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

February 9, 2012

Merry Christmas Officer Etheredge, we will never forget the sacrifice you made for all of us... Continue to rest in peace.


Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02
Union County SO, Lake Butler, FL

Deb

December 25, 2011

SAM

YOU WERE A GREAT COMPETETOR AND PLAYER FOR ORMOND BEACH OPTICAL. I AM MOST SORRY TO HEAR OF YOUR PASSING BUT YOU LEFT A LEGACY OF HAVING MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE FOR YOUR COMMUNITY. YOU ARE A TRUE HERO.

SINCERELY


STUART WEINSTEIN

STUART WEINSTEIN
DIRECTOR OF SECURITY MIAMI DOLPHINS

July 18, 2011

Officer Etheredge you are remembered today by the men and women of the Boston Police. RIP

Det. Michael Kane
Boston Police Dept.

December 25, 2010

Merry Christmas in heaven. No matter how much times has passed we will never forget the heroes who gave their all to protect us.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02
Union County SO, Lake Butler, FL

Anonymous

December 25, 2010

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 29th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

December 30, 2009

You will always be in my prayers. That night will never be forgotten. Love you Brother.

Lt. Richard Mahoney
Bristol, Virginia Police Department

April 7, 2009

On this day I thank you for your service and think of your family.

Anonymous

December 25, 2008

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

VanDenBerghe
Manchester, Nh

December 23, 2007

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 © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

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

October 2, 2007

You were a person we looked up to growing up in South Daytona and your family were wonderful people. When I became a Police Officer, I saw that everyone on the force respected and looked up to you as the kids in the neighborhood did. I will never forget that night you were taken from us, working that night was the worse night of my career.

Walt Yeomans
retired Edgewater P.D.

January 3, 2007