Roll of Honor
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
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WA-8D858261- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 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
Detective Frank Welch is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In WA, 187 of 339 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 55.2% of this state's fallen. That is 1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Aberdeen Police Department, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Frank Welch's cause is highlighted.
How Frank Welch Compares
Offender Outcome
Acquitted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Frank Welch is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Frank Welch was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Aberdeen Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
