Correctional Officer James Grover Henderson Jr. Georgia Department of Corrections Georgia Monday, June 3, 2002  Leave a Reflection  Return to Memorial  Print This Page  Continue Building Book  Page: 1 of 32 of 33 of 3

The Correctional Officers Prayer

Lord, I ask for courage...
Courage to face and conquer my own fears.
Courage to take me where others will not go.

I ask for strength...
Strength of body to protect others.
Strength of spirit to lead others.

I ask for dedication...
Dedication to my job, to do well.
Dedication to my community, to keep it safe.

Give me, Lord, concern for all those who trust me.
and compassion for those who need me.

And, please Lord, through it all
watch over me and keep me true.

Rest in peace, you will not be forgotten!

Lieutenant
Federal Bureau of Prisons
2008-10-04

We only worked with each other a short period of time, but I will never forget. I often think about you and the events of that June night still bring tears to my eyes. Thank you for your service. RIP.

Former C.O.II (GSP)

2008-08-09

My thoughts are with all of your loved ones and friends on this day. It takes a very special person to work inside those walls with individuals who have nothing to lose and I salute you for being such a hero. You will never be forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04
2008-06-03

The death of Officer Henderson will not be forgotten. He gave his life and with this he taught the rest of us a valuable lesson. Please be careful around the inmates and never take them for granted. It could happen to any of us at anytime. God Bless Him!

C Carroll CO 2
Smith State Prison
2008-04-27

"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
2007-12-26

MAY BROTHER, YOU HAVE SERVED WELL. MAY GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE. A HERO FOR SURE. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.
2007-07-29

Brother Henderson I am sorry that you had to loose your life. AS a officer in law enforcement we are face with many obstacles and challenges. We choose this carrer because we want to make a change in society and in citizens life. To the family of the fallen hero justice will provel stay prayful and seek GOD at all times. May the LORD bless you all.

SGT. Carter
Detroit Police Department
2007-06-09

My thoughts and prayers to the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Henderson. May God continue to comfort you. Heros are never forgotten.

911 Dispatcher
Virginia
2007-06-03

May you have sweet sleep and may The Lord ever bless your little girl.

2007-06-03

condolences from atlanta
youre work will not go unnoticed
god bless

2007-04-16

May Our Lord Bless and Keep you, May He shine His face upon you and be Gracious unto you.May you Rest in Peace and may He shower your little girl with Blessings

2006-06-03

You were hilighted on the website
today. So sorry your tour of duty ended prematurely. Time has not
diminished your sacrifice. God bless
your daughter and others who knew
and loved you.
Lynn Kole
Washington State

2006-01-29

AFTER THREE YEARS MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND YOU FAMILY. GOD BLESS AND GODSPEED OFFICER HENDERSON.

COII
GEORGIA DEPARMENT OF CORRECTIONS
2005-09-26

Words cannot express the pain that comes with the loss of a fellow Officer and Father.

Officer Henderson, you are a true hero for being on the job each day to protect society from those too violent to walk the streets. Because of your dedication, the world outside that forgets us, could rest easy.

On this, the day of your tragic and unnecessary death, I offer my deepest condolences to your daughter and family, your friends and to those fellow Officers that continue to walk the toughest beat.

Rest in peace Brother, you are not forgotten.

Officer Frank Finch
Federal Bureau of Prisons
2005-06-03

I salute you for your service and honor you for your sacrifice.

2005-04-14

Rest easy Officer Henderson. You served your tour of duty in "The Great White Elephant", we'll take it from here! GDC! GDC!GDC!

GDC Tactical Squad
2004-03-04

our fullest condolence's from one correctional facility to another, 24-7.
excellent memorial for officers and corrections. a true site that'll never be forgotten, but well visited from us, NM.

D.O.I Sylvester Bruce
Shiprock Dept.of Corrections-NM
2003-11-18

As a former CO at GSP, I am saddenend to hear of this senseless tragedy. My prayers are with you and your family. May God keep you safe as you watch over us from heaven.

J. Lawson Deputy Sheriff Detentions
San Diego Sheriffs Department
2003-09-01

i am his brother ia i thank all of you that said somthind of all of the family we thank you and love you all my god be with you all

joshua henderson
none

On behalf of Concerns of Police Survivors we regret the loss of yet another man in blue. Thanks to Officer Henderson for his service to his state and community. You will not be forgotton.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and co workers.

Roger Parker
Georgia Chapter - Concerns of Police Survivors

The Officer's stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
They hoped their shoes were shining.
Just as brightly as their brass.

"Step forward now, Officers.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My church have you been true?"

The men squared their shoulders and
The Policeman spoke first
"No, Lord, I guess We ain't,
Because those of us who carry badges
can't always be a saint.

We've had to work most Sundays,
and at times our talk was rough,
and sometimes we've been violent,
Because the streets are tough.

The Corrections Officer then added,
But we never took a penny,
That wasn't ours to keep...
Though we worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep.

And we never passed a cry for help,
Though at times we shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive us,
We've wept unmanly tears.

Together they say,
We know We don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted us around
Except to calm their fear.

If you've a place for us here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
We never expected or had too much,
But if you don't...We'll understand.

There was silence around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the Officers waited quietly,
For the judgment of their God.

"Step forward now, Officers,
You've borne your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell."

Anonymous

We worked the same shift for many nights and years. The times I would make the transfers to your institution with more inmates we would get a chance to speak briefly. Though 36 miles apart the night your watch ended, all of us felt as if our own flesh and blood brother had been taken away from us. On behalf of all Officers and Staff of the Ga. Dept. of Corrections we send our love and pray for the wellness and healing of your family and daughter my friend. May God be with them and you will never be forgotten.

Correctional Officer Greg Tillman
Wayne State Prison

Another officer has fallen but not in vain. My deepest sympathy to the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Henderson. May you find strength in your heart and may the Lord comfort you during this time.
Rest in peace for your watch is over.

US Park Ranger
National Park Service Kennesaw GA

CORRECTIONAL OFFICER 2 JAMES HENDERSON I AM SORRY TO SEE WE HAVE LOST ANOTHER WARRIOR WITHIN THE WALLS . I ALSO HAVE BEEN A CO FOR 16 YRS ,WE ALL ARE TRAINED THAT 'TO TELL YOUR FAMILY THAT WE MIGHT NOT MAKE IT HOME ONE DAY FROM WORK" I WAS A CO FOR THE GDC AND WAS PROUD TO SERVE THE CITIZENS OF GEORGIA, I HAVE NEVER WORKED AT A MAXIMUM FACILITY , BUT I CAN UNDERSTAND FROM OTHERS WHO HAVE WHAT YOU WENT THRU! FIGHTING FOR YOUR SURVIVAL DAILY, MOST PEOPLE DONT KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS,ONLY A FELLOW CO CAN TRULY UNDERSTAND THIS. SO AS LIKE POLICE OFFICERS WE ARE FACED TO DEAL WITH "KNOWN' MURDERS, AND OTHER HARSH CRIMES ETC.. AND "REIDSVILLE" IS THE BADEST OF THE BAD! I COMMEND YOU TO DO THIS FOR EIGHT YRS MY BROTHER .BUT YOUR JOB IS DONE HERE ON EARTH . GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY, AND I PRAY JUSTICE WILL BE DONE TO YOUR ATTACKER! SO SMILE DOWN ON US AND HELP US TO KEEP UP THE FIGHT AND KEEP OUR COUNTS STRAIGHT!

CO II
ATLANTA CITY DETENTION CENTER

My prayers go out to his daughter and the rest of his family, friends and co-workers.

Senior Officer Caesar Gernale
Federal Bureau of Prisons