Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest easy brother, on this the anniversary of your final shift. You will not be forgotten.

Captain Keith A. Mumford
Marion County Sheriff's Department / Wishard Health Services

October 10, 2008

My thoughts go out ot all of your loved ones today. Keep watch over them and those still out on patrol guarding over the Thin Blue Line. I wish you could have enjoyed a little retirement time as you deserved it after such a long career. Thankyou for you dedicated service to law enforcement. You will always be remembered.

Bob Gordon
Father of Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

October 10, 2008

Happy Birthday Gary! June 24th, 2008

Gena Bennett
Niece

June 24, 2008

It's hard to believe it has been almost 8 months since Gary's accident. Just wanted to stop by and say thank you to everyone who showed their support in Washington D.C. To all the officers who helped take care of us and voluntarily helped out in any way they could. Gary-I wish you could see Kyle now you would be so proud of him. I miss hearing your smart remarks when I'm dispatching!! I love you!

Gena Bennett

May 25, 2008

I am a member of the Police Unity Tour Chapter VIII from Florida. I have been awarded the honor or wearing the bracelet bearing Sergeant Henderson's name this year for the tour. I hope to meet the family at the candlelight vigil, after the service. I will keep your family in my prayers for some measure of peace and healing in these trying times.

Captain Sandra K. Reed
Pasco Sheriff's Office, New Port Richey, Fl.

April 7, 2008

Gary,

I do miss our conversations we had at shift change and the many other ones we had when we met on calls. You always had a way about you and the way you explained things to people and fellow officers to where they knew they were the ones you were focused on. I will never forget the night I received the page about your leaving us to take up a position with God's Police Force. I will never forget you or our conversations. I now have a second "co-pilot" besides God in my patrol car...you. Your memorial pin will always stay in my patrol car and I look to it often and hear your voice as if we were talking or as if you were talking over the radio to fellow officers or dispatch. Rest Well Hero...We Will Take Over Your Watch...

Semper Fi

Mac

Patrolman Dan "Mac" McCarty 262
Shelbyville Police Department

January 26, 2008

It's been 3 months today, your memory is not forgotten

Shelbyville resident

January 10, 2008

Rest in peace, Sir! You will never be forgotten.

Police Officer

November 21, 2007

"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

November 12, 2007

Sgt. Henderson,

I grew up in Connersville Indiana so I always had to play against those hard hitting Shelbyville boys in H.S. football. Just from reading the reflections from your men it shows what a positive impact you had on them, making them and molding them into leaders. Thanks for being the Warrior Sergeant that you were and thank you for so many years of service, protecting and serving the citizens of Shelbyville Indiana. This life is but a blink of an eye, the real life begins in heaven. I hope to see you there someday.

May God bless your family, your fellow officers and the citizens of Shelbyville Indiana they have lost a true friend.

Darron Sparks
Anderson Indiana Police Dept.

November 12, 2007

Sgt. Henderson

You have paid the ultimate sacrifice for your community, state, and county. You are a hero and inspiration to others. Rest easy now in Heaven above as we will carry on down here. The thin line line keeps getting thinner; Rest in Peace.

Douglas W. Bennett
Juvenile Probation Officer Ky Dept of Juvenile Justice

November 9, 2007

Gary,

This is so hard to do. I just wanted you to know how much you are loved and how much you are missed! Even though I live in VA and we didn't see each other as much as I would have liked you still tried to watch out for me. Thanks for all the memories of our growing up years together. Now I won't have anyone looking up my records to see if I've gotten any tickets lately and telling on me! I lovw you. Things will never be the same.
Jeanne
your sister.

Jeanne
sister

November 3, 2007

The highest of distinctions is service to others. -King George VI

Sergeant Henderson -- Your dedication to the good of your community will not be forgotten.

To all those touched by the loss of Sergeant Henderson -- Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Colorado Springs (CO) Police Protective Association

November 2, 2007

I come to the ODMP often to remember my late fiancé Dennis. Everytime I come here it breaks my heart to know that yet another officer has fallen and that yet another family has to live their lives without the man they loved. My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved Sergeant Henderson, especially to his wife. Know that you are not alone in the "journey" that you walk. Should you ever need anything please don't hesitate to contact me. The Davis Co. Sheriff's Office in Iowa will always know how to reach me. You will be in my thoughts.

From reading the reflections left for Gary, he sounds like he was a great man with a beautiful spirit. Those of you who knew him in life were so blessed to have been able to share in it. I hope that you will all continue to find a way to celebrate and remember Gary's life and the MAN that he was. Remember that Gary's life was about so much more than the way he died. Gary will continue to live on as long as we continue to remember him.

Sergeant Henderson, thank you for helping to make this world a little safer for us all. YOU will not be forgotten. Please continue to watch over all of us as only you can. If you happen to bump into my late fiancé Dennis up there give him a big hug for me and the kids. It's been almost five years but we still miss him terribly.

Wishing you brighter and better days,


Jocelyne :)

"Forever Remembering 26-3"

Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Surviving Fiancee of Deputy Dennis R. McElderry (EOW: 01/03/03)

October 28, 2007

Sergeant Henderson's wife, son, parents and three sisters are in my thoughts and prayers. All those years of service should never be forgotten!

Chaplain
White County Sheriff's Department, Arkansas

October 25, 2007

Gary, You were the best brother a girl could have. Always there when I needed you. You were lots of fun. I'll miss trying to beat you at getting the light turned on my face first so you'd be sure to see me. I'll miss your emails where you'd send pictures of yourself to help me have a good day. My life will never be the same!! I love YOU!


Debbie
Your sister

Debbie Elliott
Sister

October 23, 2007

Rest in Peace, Gary. We thank you for your Service, Sir. You will NEVER be forgotten.

Sr. Trooper Trey Pellizzari
Texas Dept of Public Safety/Commercial Vehicle Enforcement--Rockwall

October 22, 2007

God bless you and your family....

Jennifer

October 21, 2007

Sgt. Henderson, I only had the honor of meeting you a few times but knew right a way that you were one of the "Good Guys". Your death and more important your life has opened my heart. I hope I can me half the caring and loving parent and peacekeeper that you are. I have always wanted to be a Police Officer but never acted on my dream, now I'm to old, but I will try to be a great dad, and citizen in your honor.

You are my Hero, God Bless


Scott Spahr

Scott Spahr
Shelbyville resident

October 20, 2007

God Bless you and your family Sargeant. Thank you for your service.

Off. David M. Cook
Hilliard Ohio Division of Police

October 19, 2007

My thoughts & prayers are with you. Rest Easy.

Cindy, Arkansas
Sister of Slain Officer Randy Basnett, eow 9/24/1976

October 19, 2007

Our prayers and thoughts are with the family and the fellow officers
Rest in peace Sir you will not be forgotten
Chief John Roelandts (retired)
Deborah Roelandts (retired)
Oconomowoc Wisconsin

Chief John Roelandts (retired)
Town of Oconomowoc

October 19, 2007

Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to the Shelbyville Police Department. May peace be with you during this tragic time. We grieve with you and know that your Hero will never be forgotten. To Sergeant Henderson's family, our thoughts and prayers are with you.

CSPD Wives Association
Colorado Springs Police Department

October 18, 2007

Sarge you came to work everyday with that big smile on your face.It was obvious that you truly loved your job. You told me you loved to chase us young guys around. You kept an eye on all of us (your guys.) You always had a joke about something. I thank you for always being there to listen to me when I wanted to talk. I hope that everyone will take something from Sarge and apply it to the way they live their life. Till we meet again I will wear the back brace for you (HA HA)

You are truly missed
Officer Shawn Bennett
Shelbyville PD 286

Patrolman Shawn Bennett
Shelbyville PD

October 18, 2007

Gary was the guy who had a way of putting a smile on your face and making you laugh regardless of the situation. I'll never forget all the jokes he told, PRANKS HE PULLED, and love he gave to everyone around him. I miss him so much, but I know he is in a much better place now. His memory will live on forever in my heart and I thank him for welcoming me into his home and taking the time to listen when I needed a friend. I also thank him for instilling in Kyle all the values and morals that make him so very special. Gary truly did teach him how to be a wonderful man, just like him...
I love you Gary.
Gone but never forgotten.

Jenni Russell
Friend (Kyle's girlfriend)

October 17, 2007