I Didn't Know Brian Etheridge

I Didn't Know Brian Etheridge

Topic Author: Jeff Herndon

Posted: 8:42 PM Sep 29, 2009

Replies Posted: 5 comments

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I didn't know Brian Etheridge, but I wish I had. His family and friends describe him as smart, funny, and great all around guy. Just the kind of dude I would want to meet.

When the news broke Monday that Deputy Etheridge had been shot, all of us were hoping for his survival. So was Sheriff Hinshaw. He told us that Deputy Etheridge was "expected to survive" following a successful surgery. But that optimism turned to disappointment and shock when we learned that Deputy Etheridge passed away a few hours later.

A senseless murder of a young man who had his entire life ahead of him. He had a beautiful wife and a little girl. A Wichita State graduate who was said to be a guy who would do about anything for anyone. I'm sure that's why he became a deputy. A chance to help others. A chance to make a difference. A chance to make the world a little safer for his daughter.

I feel very bad for his family and friends. I feel for his co-workers in law enforcement. I feel for this community. There is one less good man in uniform protecting the streets. One less good man to stop the evil that seems to forever lurk on this earth. Like the evil that took the life of Deputy Etheridge.

Perhaps in death, Deputy Etheridge will do what he did in life .. help others. Maybe his story will inspire others. Maybe it will inspire someone to pursue a career in law enforcement. Maybe it will motivate others to be more helpful and thoughtful in their own lives.

I never met Brian Etheridge, but I wish I had.

Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

by Jimmy Location: Wichita, KS on Oct 25, 2009 at 09:58 PM

Thank you for posting this Jeff, I didn't know Brian Etheridge either, I wish I had!! Unfortunately I made some mistakes when I was alot younger, that will not allow me to go into Law Enforcement, but after reading about Deputy Etheridge, I wish I could go back and change things so that I may have been able to go into that field. I am now working on doing something better, I can't go into law enforcement, but I am definately going to try to become a firefighter, I may not be able to, but if I can, I am going to make sure that I thank whoever I need to!! I am thankful to have read about Deputy Etheridge, and while I am sorry I will not get the chance to meet him in life, I hope he knows how proud I am of him!! God Bless him and his family!!

by Janet Location: Rose Hill on Sep 30, 2009 at 07:50 AM

My prayers go out to the family, and to all the fellow officers, who are dealing with this senseless loss, and the fact that this could have easily been them in Brians situation. I am grateful to the officers for putting themselves in countless situations that may endanger them in order to protect me.I have no doubt in my mind that Brians death will touch and perhaps change many lives. But I also know that there are no words to express our sympathy to his beloved wife & daughter. I never knew him personally,but I knew his hero like type, and he will be missed. He made a difference in ways that we will probably never know.Rest peacefully Deputy Etheridge in knowing that the honorable men you once walked so proudly by, will be protecting your loved ones left behind.

by Robert Location: Wichita, KS 67208 on Sep 29, 2009 at 11:57 PM

Thank you Jeff for helping me after the loss of Deputy Etheridge. Not much makes sense in this world anymore and I hesitate to turn on the news anymore for all of the bad news - earthquakes, racial unrest, unemployment, crime, and by far the most annoying political spin by the extreme sides of the america political spectrum each trying to frame the issue to make it sound like it is someone else's fault. thank you again.

by Margaret Location: Wichita on Sep 29, 2009 at 09:41 PM

This is awesome, Jeff. I don't think anyone could have wrote better thoughts than you for those of us who did not know Brian. I was at pre-op yesterday and one of the nurses told me what had happened. At that time, Brian was in surgery (the 1st time) and she said they didn't know his condition. My thoughts, prayers are with the family, friends and fellow co-workers. I have a friend that is running for Sheriff in SC and I have sent him info about this situation but also to make sure even though he is in a different state that I appreciate and respect what he is doing for his community and has done for many years in law enforcement. I just don't think that we take the time to acknowledge our law enforcement enough and give our praise, thanks and respect to them. And unfortunately, for Brian it is too late. God Bless the family, friends, and all of our law enforcement for what they do to protect us.

by X on Sep 29, 2009 at 09:29 PM

Dido

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