Incident
Deputy Marshal Carl Etherington was lynched by an angry mob because of his enforcement of prohibition laws.
Licking County, Ohio, had voted to become a dry county, which angered many residents of Newark. Many politicians, including the county sheriff, ignored the law and refused to serve warrants issued for violations of liquor laws. As a result, the Granville mayor deputized numerous deputy marshals, giving them county-wide jurisdiction.
As Deputy Marshal Etherington and other officers attempted to serve a warrant at a saloon they encountered an angry mob. As the deputy marshals attempted to escape for their own protection the group of men captured Deputy Marshal Etherington. To protect himself he shot and killed one of the men, who was a former police officer with Newark. The mob severely beat Deputy Etherington, who was then arrested and beaten further by Newark police officers.
He was taken to the county jail where a mob of approximately 5,000 citizens learned of the shooting. They removed him from the jail and hanged him from a telephone pole near the intersection of 2nd Street and South Park Place.
Twenty citizens were eventually arrested and convicted of his murder.
It was later learned that Deputy Marshal Etherington was only 17-years-old.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents and one sibling.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Deputy Marshal Etherington served with the Granville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Granville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Marshal Etherington.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Carl is the only officer of Granville Police Department remembered here.
Carl is one of 572 officers killed feloniously in OH, 57.6% of the 993 remembered there.
Carl is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Carl is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1910, 2 officers in OH were killed feloniously, the 81st heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 17.
In 1910, 121 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1910, 124 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 47th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Carl was 17. Of the 552 killed feloniously in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Carl had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Carl was 17. 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. Carl had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Carl was 17. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Carl had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 9.6% of these deaths in OH; December holds the most, 9.6%. Fridays: 13.3%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Granville Police Department. The weapon recorded was person, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.6% of all 993 deaths in OH, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 2.3% 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 person, in 2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 1.8% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 49-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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