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Incident
Detective Welch was shot and killed after responding to a home after a woman called to report suspicious noises. When he arrived on the scene he was shot by the woman's husband, who mistook Detective Welch for a criminal. The husband had arrived home early from work to try to setup a trap for his wife, who he suspected of cheating on him. The husband was arrested, charged with murder, tried and acquitted. Detective Welch had served with the Aberdeen Police Department for only 5 months and had previously served in law enforcement with the Seattle Police Department and San Francisco, California, Police Department.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Welch gave the Aberdeen Police Department 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Aberdeen community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Welch.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Aberdeen Police Department has lost 4 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Frank is one of 187 officers killed feloniously in WA, 55% of the 340 remembered there.
Frank is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Frank is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1912, 5 officers in WA were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 96 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 8.
In 1912, 133 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1912, 135 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Frank was 32. Of the 159 killed feloniously in WA whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 46; the middle age was 41. Frank had served 13.5 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Frank was 32. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Frank had served 13.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Frank was 32. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Frank had served 13.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 7.5% of these deaths in WA; November holds the most, 11.8%. Tuesdays: 10.2%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at Aberdeen Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 55% of all 340 deaths in WA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 24.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Aberdeen Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Frank among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 64-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Aberdeen Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
