WICHITA, Kan. — Nearly 16 years after Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Deputy Brian Etheridge was killed in the line of duty, his brothers and sisters in uniform continue to show up — for him, and for his family.
On May 18, members of the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office attended the high school graduation of Etheridge’s daughter, Natalie Etheridge-Purcell. She was just two years old when her father was ambushed and shot while responding to a larceny call in September 2009.
“That day, even though he lost his life, he saved other lives,” Capt. Mark Pierce told told KWCH, reflecting on the tragedy that claimed a colleague and friend.
Since that day, the department has remained committed to Etheridge’s family. Deputies stood by Natalie when she graduated eighth grade, and they returned again, this time to see her walk across the stage and accept her high school diploma.
“Whenever she hits these milestones, it’s just another reminder that he’s not here and is missing an important part of her life,” Sarah Purcell, Natalie’s mother and Etheridge’s widow, told KWCH. “But the support from the department — it fills a piece of that gap.”
For Natalie, that presence meant everything.
“I appreciate it more than people would know, more than I can express,” she said. “It just means a lot to me.”
Though he couldn’t be there in person, Natalie said she felt her father’s presence.
“I just feel like I know he’s always there with me and supporting me through everything, just watching over me,” she said.
Purcell said her husband would be proud of the young woman Natalie has become.
“I wish that I could see that big smile on his face and see how proud he is of her, although I know that he is,” Purcell said.
