Roll of Honor

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Sergeant

Jesse L. Henderson

Wellston Police Department — Wellston, MO

Felonious

End of Watch October 1, 1981

Age 49

Tour of Duty 14 yrs

The Vigil Panel 124 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice

Incident

Sergeant Jesse Henderson was shot and killed as he interrupted a burglary at a local liquor store at 6327 Plymouth Avenue. He was shot once in the chest as he exited his vehicle. One adult and one juvenile were arrested and charged with capital murder. Sergeant Henderson had served with the Wellston Police Department for 14 years.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife and 11 children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-MO-E70CEB2D
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.
Sergeant Henderson gave the Wellston Police Department 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Wellston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Henderson.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Wellston Police Department

Location Wellston, MO

Platform Identity wpd.stlouis.mo.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 1, 1981

Tour of Duty 14 yrs

Age 49

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Cause: Gunfire

Sergeant Jesse L. Henderson 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 MO, 516 of 813 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.5% of this state's fallen. That is 9.3 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

Wellston Police Department

of 1 officers

100% Felonious

MO — Statewide

516

of 813 officers

63.5% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Jesse L. Henderson's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,623 (54.2%)

Accident

10,088 (31%)

Illness

2,974 (9.1%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

260 (0.8%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

vehicular

1 (0%)

How Jesse L. Henderson Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Years of Service

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Cause: Gunfire

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Jesse L. Henderson is highlighted in Oct.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,517

May

1,505

Jun

1,443

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,553

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Jesse L. Henderson was killed by gun; unknown type.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518