Sheriff’s office cheers on daughter of fallen deputy as she graduates

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH/Gray News) - The daughter of a sheriff who was killed in the line of duty recently crossed the graduation stage, with many of the people who worked with her father there to .

Deputy Brian Etheridge was working with the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office in Kansas when he was shot and killed in the line of duty.

The sheriff’s office said it then became the mission of its staff to protect and Etheridge’s family.

Over the weekend, of the department attended the high school graduation of Etheridge’s daughter, Natalie Etheridge-Purcell.

Sedgwick County Sheriff Capt. Mark Pierce said Deputy Brian Etheridge was a hero.

“That day, even though he lost his life, he saved other lives,” he said.

Natalie was 2 years old in 2009 when her father lost his life. She has had to go through almost all of her life without her dad by her side.

“Whenever she hits these milestones, it’s just another reminder that he’s not here and is missing an important part of her life,” Natalie’s mother, Sarah Purcell, said.

However, Natalie is not alone. The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office has become an extended family for her.

of the department were there when she graduated from eighth grade and they showed up once again to see her accept her high school diploma.

“I was just thankful. I appreciate it a lot more than people would know, like more than I can express,” Natalie said. “It just means a lot to me.”

She said having of the sheriff’s office at her high school graduation made it feel like her father was there with her.

“I just feel like I know he’s always there with me and ing me through everything, just watching over me,” she said.

Natalie’s mother said her late husband would be proud.

“I just know that he would be so proud of her and 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.

She added that the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office will always be family, as Deputy Brian Etheridge will always be ed.

“Just knowing his memory is honored and kept alive through them and through her, and seeing them her, when he couldn’t be there, was the next best thing,” Purcell said.

Copyright 2025 KWCH via Gray Local Media, Inc. All rights reserved.