Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I never met you, but I was your son you never met I hope to meet you in heaven

Son George Lind
Retire navy

November 22, 2022

Rest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice are always remembered by your law enforcement family.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

May 3, 2021

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

June 8, 2020

Rest in peace Officer Hennesay.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 21, 2019

In 1987 I was a Police Officer in a neighboring city but I knew I wanted to be an El Centro Officer. One day I was on a ride along with Officer Joe Ramsey #324 (Joe retired In 1995 and died July 2019). Joe took me to the site of where this tragedy took place and told me what transpired. He also told me that he had to quit the department for a while as it hit him hard, he eventually came back. While on that ride along the El Centro PD Chief offered me the job, two weeks later I was sworn in as an El Centro Police Officer. My Sergeant when I was done with my field training was on duty that fateful night, Vickers and Hennesay were part of his squad. At the time he was an officer and officers also did dispatch duty, it happened to be his night as a dispatcher, he also told me the story of what transpired. Whenever I had a civilian ride along I took them to the trailer park where this happened. One thing when I started with ECPD my issued badge was generic, no number on it, if we wanted our number on it we were authorized to buy one. The Officers who had been issued this badge would scratch their initials into the back of it, one of the set of initials was JV, I can only guess it was for John Vickers. I know this wouldn’t have been the badge worn that fateful night as they retired both Officers Badge Numbers. I medically retired in 92 and moved away. A few years ago thanks to social media I found out that Imperial County had done a memorial for fallen Officers in the county. I contacted an El Centro Officer who was involved in it and told him about my old badge. He was going to investigate and try to find it as the PD changed the style of the badges and he wanted to post it at a small memorial museum. I lost contact with that officer but I hope he found it.

Officer Don Barrows
El Centro PD - Retired

July 25, 2019

Rest in peace Officer Hennesay.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 15, 2019

Rest In Peace Brother LEO. You are honored on the 41st anniversary of your EOW. Thank you and your family for your sacrifice.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

May 3, 2018

Art Hennesay was a unique, "real" man because he was actively involved with his family, his community, his church and strangers who were in need. Art was foremost a born-again Christian gentleman, involved as a Deacon and youth sponsor at the First Baptist Church in El Centro. Art was back on Patrol after having been a Detective and Evidence Photographer. He was a "go to" officer for many tasks, as is required on a small department. He assisted me in federal investigations. He showed special care for troubled young people. His favorite gospel song was "Shepherd Of Love," which his youth group choir sang for hundreds of mourners and police officers at the joint funeral for Officer John Vickers and him. His example was honorable and emphasized eternal values. He was my best friend, who I will see again. Thank you, Lord, for the memories and Art's influence on other lives.

Special Agent (Ret.) William Gleason
U.S. Customs Service

October 25, 2011

I will have the honor of standing in for you at this year's memorial. You are not forgotten. Thank you for your service and sacrafice. God bless your family.

Officer Harris
El Centro Police Department

April 19, 2011

Another year has passed and you are still admired and respectfully remembered in the hearts and minds of so many. My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. You will never be forgotten.

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

May 3, 2010

Rest in Peace, Officer Hennesay. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

October 22, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 32nd 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.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

May 3, 2009

RIP.You will never be forgotten.

Anonymous

November 1, 2008

Thank you for your service and God Bless you. May you rest in peace.

Anonymous

October 5, 2008

Thank you Uncle Art for your dear friendship. I grew up with stories of your courage. I loved looking at the photo of you on our wall with the notorious escaped owl on your head. I was just a baby when you were killed, but my memories of you are so alive. You are missed terribly by my father especially. I look forward to meeting you again.

Darah
friend

May 9, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

May 5, 2008

To the Hennesay Family,

I was in the same second grade class with Kenny Hennesay and Michelle ("Shelly") Vickers in El Centro. My father worked for the Sheriff's Office at that time, and I know they were friends with each other.

I remember visiting both of their homes after they were murdered. I remember the look on Kenny and Shelly's face. I remember the lasagnas that my mom made and how horribly sad and ackward it felt to confront parental mortality at that age. I remember the fear that I had that it could happen to my own father. To this day, I remember which homes/apartments they lived in.

I have often wondered what happened to Kenny and Shelly afterwards, and I have prayed for them on many occasions since that time. I hope all of your family is well and want you to know how very sorry I am for your loss. I am very grateful for the service of both of these fallen heroes. Even more so since I became a parent three years ago. May they rest in peace.

W. Bruce Anderholt Ii
friend

April 5, 2008

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, REST IN PEACE.

N.J. TROOPER
NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE

March 20, 2008

I love you, daddy.

Kathleen
Daughter

November 8, 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

August 28, 2007

Know that you will always be remembered.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police

May 3, 2007

Thank you for your service,Sir.May you Rest in Peace.

May 3, 2006

Officer Hennesay,
On today, the 28th anniversary of your murder, I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of El Centro.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

May 3, 2005