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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Carlton Stearns was shot and killed with his own service weapon while on patrol near Copalis. His service weapon was found 65 feet from his body. No suspects were ever identified. Deputy Stearns had served with the Grays Harbor County Sheriff's Office for five years. He was survived by his wife, two children, and his father. He is buried at Fern Hill Cemetery in Aberdeen, Washington.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two children, and his father.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Stearns gave the Grays Harbor County Sheriff's Office 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Montesano community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Stearns.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Grays Harbor County Sheriff's Office has lost 6 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Carlton is one of 187 officers killed feloniously in WA, 55% of the 340 remembered there.
Carlton is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Carlton 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 1936, 1 officer at Grays Harbor County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 3 years on record. The heaviest was 1912, with 2.
In 1936, 3 officers in WA were killed feloniously, the 13th heaviest of 96 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 8.
In 1936, 136 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1936, 136 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 38th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Carlton was 41. Of the 3 killed feloniously at Grays Harbor County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 35.5 and 40.5; the middle age was 40. Carlton had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Carlton was 41. Of the 159 killed feloniously in WA whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 46; the middle age was 41. Carlton had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Carlton was 41. 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. Carlton had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Carlton was 41. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Carlton had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 60% of these deaths at Grays Harbor County Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 20%.
March holds 11.2% of these deaths in WA; November holds the most, 11.8%. Tuesdays: 10.2%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 83.3% of all 6 deaths at Grays Harbor County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 55% of all 340 deaths in WA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.9% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Grays Harbor County Sheriff's Office has 6 officers remembered here, Carlton among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 62-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Grays Harbor County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
