Conservation Officer Gerald F. Welling, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Michigan

Conservation Officer Gerald F. Welling

Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Michigan

End of Watch Sunday, September 10, 1972

Gerald F. Welling

Officer Gerald Welling was killed when he was intentionally struck by bear poachers. He was attempting to stop the two suspected poachers who were in a four wheel pickup truck. As Officer Welling approached them on foot the truck suddenly accelerated, striking him and dragging him approximately 100 feet. The suspects were arrested when they could not pass the patrol vehicle which Officer Welling's had blocking the gravel roadway.

The suspect driving the vehicle was charged with first degree murder but convicted of negligent homicide. He served only 9.5 months in prison before being released.

Officer Welling had been with the agency for 24 years and was a World War II veteran. He was survived by his wife, two sons, and three daughters and is buried in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, Coe, Isabella County, Michigan.

Bio

Age 54
Tour 24 years
Badge 219

Incident Details

Cause Vehicular assault
Weapon Automobile
Offender Convicted of negligent homicide

Most Recent Reflection

View all 33 Reflections

This whole event was a travesty. Officer Welling's life was taken by an act of willful intent by a poacher. Then the community came to the defense of the murderer. All these years later and I, as a member of the Michigan DNR at that time, am still angry over this event. Gerald Welling was a good man, out doing his job for the State of Michigan and its people. This was a senseless MURDER.

Forest Fire Officer
Michigan DNR

September 11, 2018