Henderson's death embodies everything wrongly with humanity

Larry Henderson just wanted to relax in retirement – no more drama, no more chaos. I'm sorry that both of them still found him.

Tom Synan
| Opinion representative

Many people will tell them that they have their back, but when the world falls apart and the chaos is everywhere, they are nowhere to be found. That was not Larry Henderson.

I had the privilege of knowing Larry for years in his role as deputy sheriff of Hamilton County and working together, which the municipality of Anderson in Newtown and as a member of the SWAT team of the Hamilton County Police Association. Occasionally I was called into a chaotic scene in Newtown that I was not sure how I got through when I arrived. Then I turned around and there was Larry, who gave me a smile and a nod. In these moments I always felt comforted and assured that everything worked out well.

In over 30 years after working with Larry, I can never remember a time that I actually asked to support myself. He was only there.

While Larry performed some of the most dangerous operations in life or death scenes with Swat, he was there with the same smile and nod there. He was always calm and collected. Over the years I have never seen how he lost the temperament or got out of control, regardless of the person or situation with which he was dealing with. I never saw how Larry rejected someone who needs help, hearing pipe or advice.

When Rodney Hinton Jr., the man who was charged with Larry's killing, returned to Larry and told him that he had injured the death of his 18-year-old son, Larry had tried to speak to him, even when he worked on his traffic detail. This is one of many things that I have worked problematically through this tragedy.

Larry was always there to listen and give advice. Anyone who knew him would tell them that Larry can feel them as the most important person in the world. This is because you were for him. Larry has not put down anyone. He always left you.

Larry was a person of the service. It served for people, not for the organization. He not only served his country as a navy; It served for his country. It not only served as a representative of a sheriff. It served for his community. He not only served as a law enforcement officer; He served for his co -officers.

Larry's death destroyed me. As a police officer, I saw how unfair life can be, but if we did Larry as we did, it is unsurpassed. He was so undeserved of what had happened to him.

The pain I and the entire Newtown police department fades compared to the pain of his loved ones. My heart is broken for his family, friends, colleagues and all of our communities.

Larry illustrates everything that is right about police work and a human being. What happened to him embodies everything wrongly with humanity.

At one of our last calls, Larry and I talked that our career came to an end because he was right. We both said that we couldn't believe that we would make it alive. We told all the things we had seen and did and how strange this job and this life could be. We just wanted to relax while retirement – no more drama, no more chaos. I'm sorry that both of them still found him.

The best tribute we can give Larry is how to be. Take your time to help others. Don't just say that you will be there for someone, but to be there for him if you need them the most. Don't let them ask about them. Do not only be for others, serve others. Be calm when everything seems out of control. Don't put people down, raise them up.

Larry and I were both veterans of the Marine Corps. We have a motto in the Marine Corps: Semper Fidelis. It means “always faithful”. It wasn't just words to Larry – that was Larry.

Semper Fi, brother.

Tom Synan is chief of police in Newtown, Ohio

Larry Henderson just wanted to relax in retirement – no more drama, no more chaos. I'm sorry that both of them still found him.

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