Officer Down Memorial Page

Henry was my F T O in January 1974. I have many fond memories of patrolling together on the graveyard shift. He taught me well and I survived until retirement over 30 years later. I recently had the honor of speaking (after many years) with his widow. We shared fond memories of our Hero.

Sgt. Rusty Reinhart Retired
Mobile,Al. PD
March 7, 2012

Served with Henry in Viet Nam. Just now (10182011) learned of his death . I am deeply saddened and my thoughts go to his family.

Alun M. Ellis, Retired
Kirkland PD, Kirkland, NY
October 18, 2011

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, REST IN PEACE.

N.J. TROOPER
NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE
June 4, 2009

This is my uncle Johnny. I am is nephew Ricky Welch.
I am glad to have found this page, thank you for
remembering...

Anonymous
May 31, 2009

"The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC
July 19, 2007

Rest in Peace, Patrolman Booth. Your sacrifice if not forgotten.

Officer 11169
October 26, 2006

No Officer that gave his life should be without reflection. "For those who pledge to uphold it, freedom requires a sacrifice the protected will never know."

January 2, 2004