Daytona Beach Police Department, Florida
End of Watch Thursday, December 25, 1980
Add to My HeroesSam Edward Etheredge, Jr.
Officer Sam Etheredge was shot and killed shortly after midnight on Christmas Day after responding to the Grandview Apartments at 141 S. Grandview Avenue for reports of a man causing a disturbance.
When they made contact with the suspect in his room the man opened fire, striking Officer Etheredge in the torso, and wounding the responding lieutenant; Officer Etheridge and the responding Lieutenant were able to return fire.
The man was convicted of Officer Etheredge's murder and sentenced to 75 years in prison.
Officer Etheredge was the first Daytona Beach officer killed in the line of duty in 35 years. He was survived by his wife and two daughters.
Bio
- Age 34
- Tour Not available
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Shot and killed
Most Recent Reflection
View all 28 ReflectionsThis was my friend's father. The offender is listed as "shot and killed." That is not accurate. The offender, the murderer, Joseph C. Johnson, was sentenced to 75 years in prison. His DOB is 12/01/52 and he is a white male. After serving ONLY 38 years of his sentence, he is scheduled to be released from Florida State Prison on 07/08/2019. Sam's wife and their two daughters have spent 38 Christmases without their father. They have been failed miserably by the system.
K. Sisk, Reserve Deputy
UCSO
July 5, 2019
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