Sheriff Charles McCarthy honored 150 years after dying in the line of duty

BISMARCK — More than 24,000 names are etched in the marble at the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C.

This year, three names were added from North Dakota.

Fargo Police Department Officer Jake Wallin and Mercer County Sheriff’s Deputy Paul Martin were killed in the line of duty last year. The third officer died 150 years ago.

“It’s a real honor. This is a family story we have had for a long time,” said Karen Nielsen.

She is the great-great-great-granddaughter of former Sheriff Charles McCarthy.

It’s a story that the Burleigh County Sheriff’s Department didn’t know much about until last year when they were researching the department’s history as part of their 150th anniversary celebration.

“The only information we had to start with was a name on the wall,” said Deputy Elliot Carvell.

There is no known picture of McCarthy, but plenty of history. McCarthy served in the Civil War.

“He was arrested by General George Custer for some illegal wood cutting prior to being the sheriff,” Carvell said.

McCarthy was the sheriff of the Dakota Territory as North Dakota would not become a state for another 15 years.

“It’s hard to comprehend what law enforcement would have been like in that time. These were one-man departments,” Carvell said.

It is believed McCarthy was the first lawman from North Dakota to be killed in the line of duty.

McCarthy, along with Deputy U.S. Marshall Clinton J. Miller, drowned on December 12, 1874, when their horse sleigh fell through the frozen Missouri River. They were investigating a deadly shooting outside a saloon near Washburn.

“It’s important to remember those who came before you,” said Carvell.

Through Ancestry.com, Carvell was able to track down Nielsen and her father who live in the southwest.

He informed them McCarthy’s name was going to be added to the police memorial walls in Bismarck and Washington, D.C.

“It really made the history come alive. It was really an honor,” said Nielsen.

“It’s a symbol or recognition to our current officers that the sacrifices they make each day, whether small or large, are not forgotten,” said Carvell.

Nielsen and her father were not able to attend the ceremonies this year, but hope to make it to Bismarck and Washington, D.C. in the near future.

“We are very thankful to them and proud of them for doing that and honoring him,” she said.

Deputy U.S. Marshall Clinton J. Miller is not on the wall yet.

McCarthy replaced Miller as sheriff when Miller became a deputy marshall.

Matt Henson is an Emmy award-winning reporter/photographer/editor for WDAY. Prior to joining WDAY in 2019, Matt was the main anchor at WDAZ in Grand Forks for four years.