Sergeant Lawrence Edward Henderson, Sr. S-33
(1946-2024)
Larry was born February 10, 1946, in Mississippi to Marshall and Mildred Henderson.
He attended Montgomery High School in Louise, Mississippi, graduating in 1963. He then went to Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College in Lorman, Mississippi where he majored in Biology and Mathematics.
Larry enlisted in the United States Army on July 1, 1964 during the Vietnam War. He took basic and advanced training at El Gordon, Georgia. About October 1964 he was assigned for five months to the Drill Team of the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Lewis in Washington. He then shipped overseas and served in the 3rd Armored Division in Frankfort, Germany. Sergeant (E-5) Henderson was honorably discharged June 30, 1967 with a Good Conduct Medal.
By April 1970 he was in Cincinnati working at the Chevrolet General Motors Assembly Division. In February 1972, he graduated from a course in automotive mechanics at Stowe Adult Center.
In March 1972, he joined the Cincinnati Fire Division as a Fire Cadet. He graduated first in his class in August, but there were no Firefighter position vacancies. On October 12, 1972, he received the Outstanding Fire Cadet Award at an annual firefighter’s recognition luncheon.
On October 29, 1972, Fire Cadet Henderson joined the Police Division’s 58th Recruit Class. He was promoted to Patrolman on February 25, 1973, issued Badge 176, and assigned to District 1 (310 Lincoln Park Drive). He was rotated to District 5 (1012 Ludlow Avenue) in 1974. On October 7, 1979, Officer Henderson was assigned to the Recruiting Unit in the Personnel Section. He was promoted to Police Specialist on November 8, 1981, issued Badge PS-192, and assigned to Internal Investigation Section. Six months later, he transferred to the Youth Aid Section. Specialist Henderson transferred January 12, 1986 to District 5. On September 8, 1991 he joined the Crime Prevention Unit as a School Resource Officer for Cincinnati Public School’s Cincinnati Academy of Physical Education (CAPE). Six months later, he transferred back to District 5. On January 24, 1993, he was promoted to Sergeant, issued Badge S-33, and assigned to District 2 (3295 Erie Avenue). For at least two negotiations, Sergeant Henderson was appointed to the Fraternal Order of Police Wage Team. On September 18, 1994, Sergeant Henderson transferred back to District 5. Seven months later, he transferred back to Internal Investigation. During his last several years he earned outstanding performance evaluations from his commanders with written epitaphs such as, “He’s the best sergeant I have ever experienced.” Sergeant Henderson retired on May 13, 1995 with 28 years of service to the country and our community and 40 letters of appreciation and/or commendation, including five from police chiefs.
Sergeant Henderson experienced severe kidney pain. He died during the evening of July 26, 2024 at the age of 78.
Sergeant Henderson is survived by his wife of 39 years, Carol Henderson; children, Malcolm Yisrael, Miriam Powell, Tamala Paul, and Lawrence Henderson, Jr.; grandchildren, Danielle Wilson, Cassandra Harper, Jada Powell, Jala Powell and Dajanearra Henderson; and great-grandchildren, Jayson Henderson-Harper, Raigan Blackwell, Landon Blackwell, and Mia Wilson.
Visitation will be held 10 to 11 a.m., Saturday, August 10, 2024, at St. Mark AME Zion Church, 9208 Daly Road in Springfield Township. An FOP service will be held at 11 a.m. A funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Entombment will follow at Vine Street Hill Cemetery, 3701 Vine Street in Cincinnati.
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