Charles McCarthy served as the first sheriff of Burleigh County following the county’s formal organization in July 1873. In December 1873, McCarthy and Deputy Clinton “Clint” Miller died in the line of duty while attempting to serve subpoenas to army deserters along the Missouri River bottom.
Opting for a horse-drawn sleigh to transport prisoners rather than horseback, the men attempted to cross the frozen Missouri River. The sleigh passed over an air hole, causing the ice to collapse and submerging the officers, their horse, and the sleigh beneath the ice sheet.
Confirmation of their deaths was established on December 23, 1873. Following McCarthy’s death, Alexander McKenzie was appointed to succeed him as interim sheriff; being chosen because of his imposing physical stature. McKenzie subsequently became the first officially elected sheriff of Burleigh County, holding the office until 1886 while consolidating power as the head of the influential political machine that dominated early North Dakota politics.
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