Roll of Honor
Incident
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.
Thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice is one that will never, ever be forgotten. Rest in peace always.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo Delaware State Police (Retired) June 30th, 2020
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-SC-D169B0C6- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew James. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police Ethridge served with the Branchville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Branchville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Ethridge.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police James W. Ethridge is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In SC, 271 of 438 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.9% of this state's fallen. That is 7.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Branchville Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James W. Ethridge's cause is highlighted.
How James W. Ethridge Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1951
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James W. Ethridge is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James W. Ethridge was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Branchville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
