Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Sheriff Brad Swain, along with the deputies & staff of MCSO, offer our heartfelt sympathy to your entire department and to the family of your fallen Deputy, Joshua Welge.
May the outpouring of support and encouragement you receive from agencies both near and far, provide you with peace and comfort at this difficult time.

Liane Johnson, #53-66
Monroe County Sheriff's Office
Indiana
U.S.A.

December 8, 2021

The true measure of a person
is not found in the
might of their arm,
their wealth
or their power –
it is found in the strength
of their character.

There is no greater testimony to
ones character, than ones
willingness to sacrifice all,
in the noble quest of
providing protection to all
whom they serve.
Author Unknown

Javier Cornejo
Police Officer, Retired
City of Milwaukee Police Department
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

December 3, 2021

In Honor of your Sacrifice and for your family and friends, I salute you as a HERO!

"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 whose 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

Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell (Retired)
Richland County Sheriff's Dept.
Columbia, SC

November 30, 2021

To my Brother in Blue,
May you now rest in peace and may God grant your Family comfort and peace during this difficult time.
I Salute You and thank you for your Service to Community and know that you deserve the recognition of a job well done.
You helped make Sarasota County & the City of Venice a Safe and Better place for it's residents.
It was an Honor to serve alongside you, RIP

G. Daniel McGoogan
Deputy Chief, Retired Venice Police Department
181st FBINA

November 9, 2021

When I was attacked in a home invasion, I feared my own shadow. Three men decided that they would sexually assault me and I wanted to die. Josh was driving and saw me sitting on a curb hysterically crying. He pulled over and asked if I was OK. I was sobbing at this point and he came over and stood next to me. I told him what happened and you could see the sadness in his eyes. He felt my pain and allowed me to just vent. I have another detective friend who also advised me of things that I needed to do. Sadly, Joshua contracted Covid 19 and we couldn't go see him. To his family, friends and blue brother's may He rest in peace next to our Lord. To Mrs. Welge, your husband was an exemplary human being. May God grant you peace and bless you and the family.

Elyse Lugo

November 5, 2021

Rest in peace Deputy Sheriff Joshua J. Welge, and thank you for your service.

CBP Officer(retired), Luis R Otero
DHS/Bureau Of Customs And Border Protection

November 2, 2021

RIP Deputy Sheriff Welge. Thank you for your service to the citizens of Sarasota County and Venice

Sergeant Darren Weisse
Tufts University Police

November 2, 2021

In 2018, my father-in-law was in a serious accident in Sarasota and was admitted, unconscious, to the hospital as "Trauma Houston" due to having no identification with him. It took over a week for news to make it to us in Central New York that my father-in-law was missing. We had no idea he had been in an accident.
We called in a welfare check, and we were very fortunate that the complaint was assigned to Deputy Welge, who spent a great deal of time and effort to ultimately locate my wife's father, still unconscious in the intensive care unit. Deputy Welge treated my wife with kindness and compassion and was extremely helpful. Deputy Welge did not know that I was also a police officer, so he did not go "above and beyond" for us, rather, he apparently went above and beyond because that's the kind of person he was. Thank you for your service, brother. RIP.

Lieutenant Brian J. Wills II
Oswego County Sheriff's Office
New York

November 1, 2021

Deputy Sheriff Welge,

Thank you for your sacrifice for our nation. May you be with the Lord and may he be with your family.

Det. Russ Cain
Pittsburgh PD

November 1, 2021

James P Waggle, Jr.
Civilian

October 31, 2021

Josh,
You fought so hard to stay with us. We fought so hard to keep you with us. It wasn't to be. We will miss you.

ANNMARIE COLWELL
Retired wife/ RRT

October 30, 2021

Deepest sympathy to the family of Deputy Sheriff Joshua Welgede, and to his Brothers and Sisters of the Sarasota Sheriff’s Office, Florida. May GOD give peace, comfort, and understanding to his family, friends, and associates for their loss. RIP Brother.

Chaplain Terry L. Longacre. MTPD (Retire
Red Rose Lodge FOP# 16 Lancaster, County, Pennsylvania

October 30, 2021

On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, our thoughts and prayers are with the immediate family of Deputy Sheriff Joshua J. Welge and the extended law enforcement family of the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office, Florida.


End of Watch Thursday, October 21, 2021.


Rest in Peace brother and watch over us. We will protect and serve from here on in your honor.

I fight not for glory or fame, for they are momentary. I fight for those who can't. I fight for Justice. I fight for the oppressed and the down trodden. And if I should lose my life for these just causes, then I have no regrets, For I serve to protect the innocent. It matters not where or when, for evil knows no boundaries. Be it fire, flood, or the threat of tyranny, I will not flee. Justice is my weapon. Faith is my shield. Hope is my armor. Cry not at my passing, for it was my Honor to fight for you. Shed not tears of sorrow, But tears of joy, for now, I stand with God.

By Jon F. Hooper

"Greater love hath no man than this; that a man lay down his life for his friends."

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

October 30, 2021

To Deputy Sheriff Joshua J. Welge's family friends and fellow deputies: my deepest sympathy for your loss. Joshua is in a much better place now. God's Speed Sir!

Reserve Deputy Brian Jacobsen
Mahaska County Iowa Sheriff’s Office

October 29, 2021

Sheriff Welge, for many years, you dedicated your life to protecting others that they may be safe. It took a small virus to take your life. Our Lord, who sees all and knows all, will reward you abundantly for your courage, dedication and selfless service. May God immerse you and your loved ones in His Divine Mercy. Rest in peace, good and faithful servant.

Jess Espinosa
Civilian

October 29, 2021

Rest in Peace Deputy Sheriff Joshua J. Welge! Thank you for your 16 years of service with the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office, in Florida and for your previous 6 years of service with the Venice Police Department. We are all thankful to you for your service, your devotion and your sacrifices, and also to your family and friends for their sacrifices. Our hearts break for your wife and three children during this tragedy, and we want them to know that you will never be forgotten! Our thoughts and Prayers go out to the rest of your family and to all of your sisters and brothers in Blue that protect us. God bless you all!! (Matthew5:9)

Kelly & Eddie King

October 28, 2021

Rest in peace Deputy Welge. May God comfort and bless your family and fellow colleagues. Thank you for your service.

Former reserve Deputy ( OCSO) FL Eddie A
Osceola county Sheriff's office

October 28, 2021

God bless deputy, welge. My prayers go out to the family and the department. Rest in peace brother we have it from here.

cadet, Thomas
Polk county sheriffs office

October 28, 2021

Rest In Peace Deputy Joshua Welge. Prayers and condolences to the Welge family.

Jake Hudgeons
Corrections Deputy
Corrections Operations
Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office

October 27, 2021

God bless you Deputy Joshua Welge, for your service and sacrifice. Thoughts and prayers go out to your family and friends, and to your brothers and sisters from the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office. Rest in Peace Brother.

Officer Jim Drabos (Retired)
San Gabriel (CA) Police Department

October 27, 2021

Rest in peace brother. Thank you for your service. God's speed sir.

Lieutenant John C. Moore
Wisconsin State Conservation Warden & State Trooper (Retired)

October 27, 2021

Rest in piece my brother, you will be missed dearly. We had some great times together on duty and off. We have it from here, your sacrifice will not be forgotten. Prayers and thoughts with your family.

Deputy A. Pacher

October 27, 2021

Rest in peace Brother....My thoughts are with your family, friends, and the members of you agency during this most difficult and tragic time....

LT. Joseph Ward, Ret
Jackson, NJ PD

October 27, 2021

Rest in peace Deputy Sheriff Welge.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 27, 2021

God rest his soul.

Sgt. Robert A. Henne
Jersey City PD/Retired

October 27, 2021