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Incident
Sheriff Charles McCarthy and Deputy U.S. Marshal Clinton Miller drowned in the Missouri River after falling through the ice.
The two were traveling up the river to serve subpoenas for an inquest case. The witness appeared for the inquest on Monday but neither officer showed up. A search party was sent out the following day and located a spot in the river where their sleigh drove onto the ice and then fell through. Both officers, their horse, and the sleigh were swept away below the ice.
Sheriff McCarthy had served with the Burleigh County Sheriff's Office for a few months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
152 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Sheriff McCarthy gave the Burleigh County Sheriff's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Bismarck community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Burleigh County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Charles is one of 15 officers lost to accidents in ND, 24.6% of the 61 remembered there.
Charles is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Charles is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1874, 1 officer in ND was lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 10 years on record. The heaviest was 1966, with 4.
In 1874, 4 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 145th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1874, 12 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 146th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Charles was 38. Of the 14 lost to accidents in ND whose age is recorded, half were between 36.5 and 54.3; the middle age was 45. Charles had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 4.5 years.
Charles was 38. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Charles had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 38. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Charles had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 6.7% of these deaths in ND; May holds the most, 20%. Saturdays: 26.7%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Burleigh County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 24.6% of all 61 deaths in ND, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Burleigh County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 53-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Burleigh County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
