Metropolitan Police Department, District of Columbia
End of Watch: Monday, August 4, 1986
Age: 34
Tour of Duty: 7 years
Badge Number: 3837
Cause of Death: Drowned
Date of Incident: August 4, 1986
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Officer Kevin Welsh drowned after jumping into the Anacostia River in an attempt to rescue a suicidal woman who had jumped off of the 11th Street Bridge.
While in the water Officer Welsh indicated he needed help but went under and drowned before he could be rescued. His body was recovered four hours later.
Officer Welsh was assigned to the Special Operations Division and had served with the Metropolitan Police Department for seven years. He was survived by his expectant wife and two children.
In 2022, the 11th Street bridge was renamed the 11th Street Kevin J. Welsh Memorial Bridge.