UPDATE: The Van Buren Police Department announced today that their employee and colleague Officer David Hendrickson has passed away.
“It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Officer David Hendrickson.” the Department said. “Dave lost his battle with cancer last night. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later time.”
Our condolences are with his friends, family, and law enforcement brethren across the Arkansas River Valley.
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VAN BUREN - As one of their own continues to fight the most intense stages of lung cancer, he is receiving untold amounts of support from communities on both sides of the Arkansas River.
Officer David Hendrickson was diagnosed in March with the disease, and in recent days has seen his condition deteriorate. Now, friends, family, and his law enforcement colleagues are asking for prayers as many fear that Hendrickson is seeing the last of his battle.
“Please join us in praying for one of Van Buren’s Finest, Officer David Hendrickson. Dave is a former Fort Smith Police Officer who served with us, protecting the citizens of Fort Smith for several years prior to joining our brothers and sisters at Van Buren PD.” the Fort Smith Fraternal Order of Police posted on social media. “After a fierce battle with cancer, Dave has been hospitalized and is currently fighting for his life. He and his loving family are in need of prayers. May God give him and his family peace and the strength to endure this hard fought battle. Also, please keep our brothers and sisters in the Van Buren FOP and Van Buren PD in your thoughts and prayers.”
Prior to entering law enforcement, Hendrickson worked in broadcast media for local television station KHBS 40/29. Longtime news anchor Craig Cannon offered a number of thoughts about his time with Hendrickson on his own Facebook account Friday.
“David became a police officer after leaving 40/29 News many years ago.” Cannon remembered. “Perhaps even if you don’t know him, maybe you’ll also say a prayer for this young man, his wonderful wife and partner Jessica whose been by David’s side without fail, and his family tonight.”
Cannon also wrote a personal note to his friend of many years.
“Heaven will never be the same when it’s time for this “giant of a man” to enter its gate! David, you were such a blessing to soooooooo many people in this life!
And it’s so fitting you chose a career-calling to serve others as a police officer with the far too short amount of time you were given on this earth.
Course, those precious days you spent in our newsroom were so valuable too! Very few have ever matched the “Can-Do Spirit” you always displayed. And now looking back on it, those days you contributed in the newsroom were just preparing you for a life of service to others!!!
If our dear Lord is calling you home now - Jessica & your family can always take solace in the fact they had a husband; father; family member … who did so much with his life on earth that left a lasting impression on so many others!
Be it so — May God bless you and yours forever more. You deserve the riches of heaven brother. We will always fondly remember “lil Dave!”
