Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Welch,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Fort Worth. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

May 21, 2023

Though we were neighbors for a short time you made a great impression on a young teenager. Even these many years later I still think of you and your family. Every time an officer dies it brings back memories of the night we all lost you.

James Driver
Neighbor and friend

July 16, 2016

Rest in Peace Officer William Vernon Welch. Thank You for your Service and Sacrifice protecting the citizens of Fort Worth, Texas.

I Pray for Peace for your Family and for the men and women that still serve The Fort Worth Police Department. I also Pray that the hounds of hell are gnawing on the bones of your murderer as his soul is being burned up in the lake of fire!

Amen

Senior Special Agent B.L. Sherwood (Ret)
Port Terminal Railroad Police Houston, TX

May 21, 2016

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
God Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

May 21, 2015

Vernon, I think of you often and your soft-spoken attitude. We were in the same training class together. Every time that I drive down 7th Street I recall your last point of service

It is your honor that I am conducting research into lives of children of slain police officers.

Garland Graves
Fellow Officer Fort Worth Police Dept.

February 17, 2014

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 39th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered.

I pray for solace for all those that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Your family is in my heart's embrace. Thanks to your friends for sharing their memories and devotion to you through their reflections.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

May 21, 2012

OFFICER WELCH EVEN THOUGH ITS BEEN 38 YEARS AGO TODAY MY BROTHER YOU MUST KNOW THAT YOU WILL NOT EVER BE FORGOTTEN AND YOU ARE TRUELY MISSED BY FAMILY FTEINDS AND OTHER OFFICERS.

RIP

LIEUTENANT BARRY RANSBERGER (RETIRED )
TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE

May 21, 2011

Officer Welch your work on this Earth as we know it is done. You are in God's Hands now. May you rest in peace.

SGT. Daryl Brewer
Clarksville Police Dept. Clarksville, Tennessee

May 29, 2008

"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

February 6, 2008

Officer Welch, you are a hero and we thank you for your service to Ft.Worth, and The Great State Of Texas, RIP Sir.

Pecos Police Department
Pecos, Texas.

January 10, 2008

G-d Bless.

February 23, 2007

Dear Sir,

I knew the story well of what happened to you from my time in the Academy beginning in 1984. Your name and photograph became very familiar along with several others who had given their lives in service, as we were trained in a variety of officer safety techniques with historical background as reference.

Years later, I was having my hair cut at a business where I had never been previously. After a few minutes of conversation with the stylist as she cut my hair, she asked me what I did for a living. I told her I was in law enforcement. For just a second, she looked up and stopped, then began as if nothing had happened. It was so subtle, that in all liklihood only a police officer would have even noticed. I must admit, I thought the worst; addict, warrants, something had made her uncomfortable.

She was quiet for a few moments, and then she said what I will never forget; "My Dad was a Fort Worth police officer, but he was killed when I was a little girl". She expressed that she had little memory of him, and stated that her Mom (his widow) was the shop owner, and gestured toward her.

I asked her what her Dad's name was and she responded "Bill Welch". I put on my best poker-face, but the knowledge that Bill's "little girl" was using those same hands that used to reach for Daddy, to make me look professional, was almost too much. I could not imagine the grief that had been visited on this family, and to see Mom and daughter still together, forging on and without Bill in their lives drove home the permanence of their incredible loss.

I told her about the Memorial in the downtown building, and how to contact the right people to see the portrait of her Dad. And, as she asked I told her as much as I knew about the incident from my memory of our training days. The shop is no longer there, and I saw her only one other time just by chance at a grocery store. We chatted for a few moments,and that was the last I saw her.

Mr. Welch, your daughter is absolutely beautiful, and a very responsible and hard-working lady in every sense of the word. Your wife is very strong and gifted with business savvy. Whatever they are doing now, you can know they are doing well.

It was an honor to meet them, and to reflect on the sacrifice you made for this city. May the Lord be with them and keep them safe until you all meet again.

Gianni Ghilespi

Captain Gianni Ghilespi
Fort Worth Texas PD

April 28, 2006

We are making sure that you are never forgotten. A beautifull Memorial will be built in Trinity park by 7th St. See you there.

Officer Thomas Wiederhold #1890
Fort Worth Police,Tx

January 25, 2006

No officer that died in the line of duty should be without a reflection. You died a hero, Officer. Your killer will face judgement some day and will pay for what he did. Rest peacefully in God's hands. You lived and died a hero. Thank you, sir, for your service and sacrifice. God's peace be with you.

Michigan

October 12, 2004