International and Great Northern Railroad Police Department, Railroad Police
End of Watch Thursday, October 19, 1905
Add to My HeroesJohn Wesley Etheridge
Special Officer John Etheridge was shot and killed at the railroad station in Troup, Texas, while attempting to quell a disturbance.
Officer Etheridge was on duty aboard a special excursion train when one of the passengers became disorderly. When the train arrived at the station the man and Officer Etheridge got off of it and went into the waiting room where the shooting occurred.
The subject who shot him Officer Etheridge was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 10 years in prison. He was released after serving only eight years.
Officer Etheridge had served with the International and Great Northern Railroad Police Department for six years and had previously served as a deputy sheriff and constable in Harrison County. He was survived by his wife and six children.
Bio
- Age 51
- Tour 15 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Location Texas
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Sentenced to 10 years
Most Recent Reflection
View all 6 ReflectionsOfficer Etheridge,
On today, the 120th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice as a Law Enforcement Officer.
BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)
October 19, 2025
Recent LODD Deaths
Corporal Timothy J. O'Connor, Jr.
Pennsylvania State Police, PA
EOW: March 8, 2026
Deputy Sheriff Kaleb Mitchell
Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, NC
EOW: March 7, 2026
Sergeant Kathleen M. Radziunas
Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police Department, NY
EOW: April 30, 2025
Master Trooper Steven J. Perry
North Carolina Highway Patrol, NC
EOW: March 1, 2026
Conservation Enforcement Officer Senior Shawn Nixon
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources - Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, AL
EOW: November 23, 2025
Corporal David M. Hathcock
Montgomery Police Department, AL
EOW: February 22, 2026
Correctional Officer Dustin Pedigo
Tennessee Department of Correction, TN
EOW: February 25, 2026
Deputy Sheriff Michael Hislope
Christian County Sheriff's Office, MO
EOW: February 24, 2026
Deputy Sheriff Gabriel Ramirez
Christian County Sheriff's Office, MO
EOW: February 23, 2026

