Missouri Department of Corrections, Missouri
End of Watch: Monday, January 14, 2002
Age: 54
Tour of Duty: 4 years
Badge Number: 33448
Cause of Death: Heart attack
Date of Incident: January 14, 2002
Weapon Used: Person
Suspect Info: Not available
Correctional Officer Rodney Welch suffered a fatal heart attack shortly after responding to a fight between two inmates at the Algoa Correctional Center in Jefferson City, Missouri.
Officer Welch was assaulted while trying to break up the two inmates and received several bruises to his face and chest. After the inmates were secured, Officer Welch began to have chest pains and collapsed. He was transported to a local hospital where he died approximately one hour later.
Officer Welch had served with the Missouri Department of Corrections for four years. A U.S. Army veteran, he is survived by his wife and two children.