Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace Correctional Officer I Welch.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 17, 2024

Condolences to the Welch family

Carson loveless

February 6, 2024

I did not know you, Sir, however I am honored to walk the yard that you once walked. I am filled with sorrow to hear of any death, but even more when it is a fellow officer and teammate. I hope to, one day, have the courage and dedication that you had for ACC and the safety and security of the people within it's fences. You make me proud to work here. Thank you, Sir.
Also, to the family of Officer Rodney, I bow in respect to you. It takes a strong and loving wife to stand by the side of any law enforcement officer. I offer my condolences to you and pray you and your children are doing well.

sincerely,
Chris Shelton

"Honor is forever, no one can take that from you."

COI chris shelton
Algoa Correctional Center

August 9, 2013

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 8th 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 murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never dimishes respect. Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

January 14, 2010

Forgive me for missing the anniversary of your E.O.W., but I felt as though I could not continue to read about so many tragedies. I now realize the visit each day to leave a word of encouragement and hope to the loved ones of others, helps me to remember that I am not alone with my pain and heartbreak. So may I say to your friends and loved ones that my thoughts and prayers are with them now and always. Continue to keep watch over them and those still out on patrol and may they know you will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

February 23, 2009

You will not be forgotten. Rest in Peace and thank you for your sacrafice.

Sgt. Marcus W. Groza
Mo. Dept of Corrections

May 12, 2008

Officer Welch was well liked by inmates, and officers alike. He was strict, but fair, and treated us like human beings who had made mistakes. I had daily conversations with him, and he was a very likable man. I remember the day of the 1049 incident, and the subsequent camp lockdown. I can honestly say many inmates were saddened by his untimely passing. He is missed by all who knew him.

Respectfully,
Gordon L. Nash II

Gordon L. Nash II #529549
incarcerated at ACC at the time of death

February 4, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

January 5, 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

December 6, 2007

My fiancé, Dennis McElderry, was the first law enforcement casualty of 2003. Dennis was a Deputy Sheriff with the Davis County Sheriff's Office in SE Iowa. Dennis died doing a job he loved, just as I'm sure Rodney did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Rodney be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Corrections Officer Welch's family, friends, and co-workers must have gone through in losing him. My heart goes out to you all, especially to his wife. No one can truly understand the pain of our loss until they've walked in our shoes. Please know that my thoughts are with you and that you are not alone in your "journey". Should you ever need anything please do not hesitate to contact me. (Dennis' department will also always know how to reach me.)

As a fallen officer "survivor" and a friend, please accept my condolences on behalf of myself and the McElderry family. I never got the opportunity to know Rodney but, I am certain he was well respected and well loved. Rodney will live on in the hearts of all the lives he touched. You were all blessed to have been able to know and love Rodney, even for a short time. I pray that Rodney will continue to watch over us along with all the other fallen officers all as only they can.

Thank you Corrections Officer Welch for a job well done and for helping to make this world a safer place for us all. Please say "hello" to my fiancé Dennis for me.

Wishing you and all those who loved you brighter and better days,

Jocelyne :)

Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Fiancée of Deputy Sheriff Dennis Ray McElderry (EOW: 01/03/03)

August 27, 2005

Rest easy and know you did not perish in vain. Nor will you be forgotten.

Deputy M. Moore
Warren County S.O. (OH)

To the family, friends and coworkers of Officer Welch may God be with you all. To the kids of Officer Welch remember always that your dad is a true hero always. Rest in peace Officer Welch and continue your watch from above now.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Azure, EOW 08/06/02

Another fine officer says goodbye doing a job nobody else wants to do. To his family, friends, and co-workers, he is with Heavens Finest and enjoying his heavenly Father, please know that we are praying for you in this most difficult time...
KY Peace officer
Isaiah 40:31

May God comfort your family, friends, and co-workers as they deal with your death. May you rest in peace.........John 15:13

Shelly Ragsdale, surviving spouse
Officer Alan Ragsdale, Hohenwald Police Dept., EOW 11-27-00

You gave the ultimate sacrifice. You may be gone, but you will NEVER be forgotten. We are all family in this job, sometimes we are the only family each other has. In pace requiescat, Rest in peace! Keep a watch on the rest of us as we go on shift each day.

"When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life in such a way that when you die, the world will cry and you will rejoice." (American Indian Prayer)

Isaiah 40:31

Officer Kimberly Moses
MTSU Campus PD, TN

Heavens called anouther fine officer to walk the beat of heavens streets. You may be gone, but you will never be forgotten. Rest In Peace.

Southern Iowa