Hamilton County honors Deputy Larry Henderson at memorial service

A memorial service for Deputy Larry Henderson drew family members, colleagues from the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office and representatives of area law-enforcement agencies on May 9, 2025, where speakers recalled his decades of service and the circumstances of his death.

The service included prayers and scripture readings and extended eulogies describing Henderson’s life and work. The department chaplain opened with prayer and scripture, including Psalm 34:18: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit,” the chaplain said. A colleague who served with Henderson delivered an extended eulogy that described his career, family and community work.

Why it matters: Henderson, described by speakers as a longtime public servant, was killed when a vehicle deliberately targeted an officer on May 2, 2025, according to remarks at the service. The memorial drew regional law-enforcement partners and community members and highlighted Henderson’s roles as a deputy, bomb technician and foster parent.

Speakers said Henderson was 57 years old and had worn a badge for 34 years. He joined the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office in 1991 as a corrections officer, served as an academy instructor and as a member of hazardous-devices and SWAT teams, and was certified as a bomb technician in February 2001. He was the longest-serving active member of the hazardous-devices unit at retirement, with 23 years on the unit, speakers said. Henderson also received a divisional commendation in February 2011 for his actions at a homicide scene that later resulted in a medal of valor, remarks at the service said.

Speakers noted Henderson’s community work: he taught DARE classes, worked hospital security and school traffic control, and in late 2024 he and his wife opened their home to foster children. In October 2024 the family brought home a foster child; in December 2024 they took custody of a 4‑day‑old infant who remained with them for about eight weeks before being returned, the eulogy stated.

Colleagues recounted Henderson’s personality and daily habits, saying he was known for practical jokes, quick quips in briefing rooms and for relieving teammates at shift changes. “When Larry said, ‘Go home. I got it,’ we all knew that everything was going to be just fine,” the colleague said.

The eulogist also invoked a Biblical line to describe Henderson’s final act: “Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friend,” the colleague said, linking the passage to Henderson’s death on May 2, 2025. The memorial concluded with additional prayers and a final commendation as the service closed.

Speakers asked the community to continue supporting law-enforcement families and to carry forward Henderson’s example of service and care for others.