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Hughes Van Etten
Incident
Sheriff Van Etten and Patrolman Wilbert McMicken, of the International Falls Department succumbed to gunshot wounds received on September 18, 1922. Several officers had gone to a home to arrest a man for forging stolen checks. When the occupants of the house refused to open the door, the officers attempted to force entry. One of the men inside opened fire, striking Patrolman McMicken and Sheriff Van Etten each in a leg. The wounded officers were taken to a local hospital where Patrolman McMicken died the following day. Sheriff Van Etten succumbed to his wound 11 days later. The suspect was able to escape but was later shot and killed by a posse. Sheriff Van Etten had been with the Koochiching County Sheriff's Department for eight years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Van Etten gave the Koochiching County Sheriff's Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the International Falls community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Van Etten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Koochiching County Sheriff's Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Hughes is one of 173 officers killed feloniously in MN, 59% of the 293 remembered there.
Hughes is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Hughes is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1922, 11 officers in MN were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1922, 228 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1922, 306 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Hughes was 41. Of the 166 killed feloniously in MN whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. Hughes had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Hughes was 41. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Hughes had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Hughes was 41. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Hughes had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 10.4% of these deaths in MN; August holds the most, 16.8%. Fridays: 17.3%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Koochiching County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 59% of all 293 deaths in MN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 23.1% 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, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Koochiching County Sheriff's Department has 2 officers remembered here, Hughes among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 41-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Koochiching County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.