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Incident
Constable David Welch was shot and killed while attempting to serve an arrest warrant at a flouring mill.
As a result of a prior dispute at the Hollingsworth Mill, an arrest warrant was issued for assault for two of its employees who were staying there. Constable Welch and the mill's operator, assisted by four civilians, proceeded to the mill to serve the warrant. Upon announcing their purpose and a brief verbal exchange with the employees, they were refused entry into the building. After the mill's operator broke down the door with an axe, Constable Welch proceeded into the building and up the staircase to the second floor. When he reached the top of the stairs, he was shot by one of the employees with a rifle, striking him through the hip. He died a short time later.
Both employees were arrested and indicted for murder along with the mill's owner. In a trial held in Mercer County under a change of venue, both employees were convicted of murder and sentenced to prison, but the charges against the owner of the mill were discharged.
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- August 2, 2026
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- September 9, 2026
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167 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Constable Welch served with the Henderson County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Oquawka community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
David is the only officer of Henderson County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
David is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
David is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
David 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 1859, 1 officer in IL was killed feloniously, the 123rd heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1859, 9 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 173rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1859, 10 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 179th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
January holds 7.4% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Tuesdays: 13.8%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Henderson County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 3.2% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
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