Conservation Officer Gerald F. Welling

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.