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John Wesley Etheridge
Incident
Location: Texas Weapon: Gun; Unknown type Offender: Sentenced to 10 years
Special Officer John Etheridge was shot and killed at the railroad station in Troup, Texas, while attempting to quell a disturbance.
Officer Etheridge was on duty aboard a special excursion train when one of the passengers became disorderly. When the train arrived at the station the man and Officer Etheridge got off of it and went into the waiting room where the shooting occurred.
The subject who shot him Officer Etheridge was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 10 years in prison. He was released after serving only eight years.
Officer Etheridge had served with the International and Great Northern Railroad Police Department for six years and had previously served as a deputy sheriff and constable in Harrison County.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Officer Etheridge gave the International and Great Northern Railroad Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Palestine community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Officer Etheridge.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
International and Great Northern Railroad Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1905, 13 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1905, 81 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 82nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1905, 81 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 87th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 51. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. John had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
John was 51. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. John had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 51. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 7.2% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at International and Great Northern Railroad Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 10.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
International and Great Northern Railroad Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 39-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from International and Great Northern Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw.