When putting "etc." in the middle of a sentence, do you use "etc," or "etc.," or "etc."?

Example:

If you forgot your toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorent, etc., you will not be allowed to attend.

Make sure you bring your fishing pole, tackle, bait, etc. as we will not make any stops.

If you are unsure, confused, bewildered, etc, do a somersault, then eat five slices of baloney.

Which example is correct? _{(Bonus points: why?)}

Ha, ha! Nice. Use a lower case "e" and follow the "c" with a period. If the sentence continues, follow the period with a comma (no space). Similar circumstances for I.e., and e.g., . (Gosh, now where do I put that final period?)

first off, your sentances need deoderent. Forsoothe, the toothepaste!

"etc." is an abbreviation for "et cetera" which is latin for "and the rest (of such things)" or "and so forth." As an abbreviation, it follows the same rules as "Mister"... "Mr." and "Doctor"... "Dr."

In your three example choices, only the first is correct with respect to the treatment of the "etc." but on some level, a sentence with three egregious errors can never be said to be "correct." :)