Roll of Honor
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.
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.
In researching my family tree I have found you are my second great grandfather. I am honored and proud to be your great, great, granddaughter.
In honor of your sacrifice we will dedicate a memorial bench on September 25th, 2021 thanks to the help of Steven Henshaw, retired deputy of Henderson County, Illinois. It will be placed in front of the courthouse in Oquawka, Illinois.
Kathy Stevens 2nd great granddaughter September 11th, 2021
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-IL-66955A9C- Stewardship
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- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
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
Constable David 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 IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 9.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. David Welch's cause is highlighted.
How David Welch Compares
Offender Outcome
Convicted of murder
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. David Welch is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. David Welch was killed by rifle.