Police departments cover shifts to allow deputies time to mourn fallen colleague
In law enforcement, backup is just a radio call away. But sometimes, officers just show up.
"That's the nature of officers who get into this job, to help people out, and of course, they want to help some of their own as well," said Springdale police Officer Keenan Riordan.
During the next few days, officers from across Greater Cincinnati are stepping in to cover shifts so Hamilton County deputies can grieve, reflect, and honor deputy Larry Henderson. He was killed in the line of duty last week, and was a man respected by many.
Riordan worked with Henderson on SWAT.
"I remember him as kind of a jokester, always having a good laugh, and we had a great time, and he was one of the bomb techs on the team, and he was a master at his craft," Riordan said.
The Springdale Police Department is just one of many lending a hand.
Riordan and other Springdale officers know the pain of losing one of their own. In 2020, Kaia Grant was killed in the line of duty.
"During that time for us, there's some officers that helped us, and I will never forget them. Never forget them," Riordan said.
Springdale officers are also there to offer emotional backup, as they've found ways to keep Kaia's memory alive.
"We'll never forget Kaia Grant," Riordan said.
Her locker remains at the police department as a memorial.
We put notes in it, remembrances in it. Officers put stuff in it and locked it," Riordan said.
It's only to be opened on Kaia's anticipated retirement date.
"Some years from now, none of us will be here that even worked with her, but through things like this, we'll always be here, and she'll always be remembered by the Springdale police and the community, just like Deputy Henderson will always be remembered," Riordan said.
Showing up physically and emotionally for their law enforcement brothers and sisters means no one has to grieve alone.