COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Dozens of first responders from across Central Ohio traveled to Cincinnati on Friday to honor the life of Hamilton County Deputy Larry Henderson.
Henderson died only five months after retiring, leaving his family, brothers and sisters in blue, and the community in mourning. He was working a traffic detail at the University of Cincinnati when Rodney Hinton Jr. allegedly ran him over.
People began paying their respects for Henderson on Thursday. On Friday, thousands were expected to attend a public procession and service including first responders from dozens of Central Ohio agencies.
“At any time, at any place and by any means, one of us could be killed in the line of duty.” Franklin County Chief Deputy Jim Gilbert said. “He probably never saw the car coming. He never had a chance to react because of the manner in which the attack was brought against him. He was ambushed.”
Gilbert, who is from the Cincinnati area, said he knew Henderson and was able to reconnect with him at an Ohio State football game a few years ago.
“Larry was very well-respected,” Gilbert said. “He trained thousands of police officers throughout the Cincinnati area and Ohio through his activities and his involvement as a trainer, as a mentor and as a leader in law enforcement.”
Gilbert said first responders from Central Ohio want to make sure Henderson’s family and colleagues know they are not alone as they work through the grieving process.
“Law enforcement officers throughout the state, throughout the nation, are going to support them and always remember him,” Gilbert said. “We will memorialize and remember him today. But the support won’t just be here today. It will be here for them long term.”
In Henderson’s honor, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office announced it will retire his badge number, 129.
Friday’s public service for Henderson will be followed by a private ceremony and burial at Spring Grove Cemetery.
