Photo Provided Shown is Colonel Jay Smithers and Corporal William Henderson of the WVSP. Henderson is standing before his brand-new 2015 cruiser, which was given to him as part of his WVSP Superintendent’s Award.

Corporal William D. Henderson of Hundred’s West Virginia State Police Detachment received the West Virginia State Police Superintendent’s Award, the highest honor given by Colonel Jay Smithers of the WVSP on Tuesday, May 12,

“I’ve known him for years. We went to school together, graduated together, and now we are working together,” stated WVSP Sergeant Jeff Shriver, who nominated Henderson for the award.

Shriver explained that the individual who receives the WVSP Superintendent’s Award must be nominated by a supervisor. A letter must be submitted to the colonel’s office, explaining why the supervisor is recommending the trooper for the honor. Once the letter is submitted, it goes before a special panel. The nominations are read through and the panel chooses the trooper they believe is most deserving of the award.

“Once that is established, they call a meeting. They call the members down to the colonel’s office and that is where they receive the awards,” Shriver explained.

“The awards that go out that day are lifesaving awards and civilian awards. (Henderson) got the highest honor,” Shriver went on to say.

Henderson’s recognition, stems from two 2014 investigations he worked on, one of which involved the grisly and brutal Littleton murders. These investigations were mentioned by Shriver in his letter of nomination and were also subsequently recapped by Smithers’ when presenting Henderson with his award.

Remarks read by Smithers on May 12 state that on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2014, Henderson was dispatched to a house fire that had occurred in Littleton, West Virginia. Three bodies were discovered, all three showing stab wounds about the head and neck areas.

One of the individuals received over 30 stab wounds. Shriver interviewed several persons of interest and was able to clear any of their involvement in regards to the crime. During the first several months of the investigation, Henderson developed a “hypothesis” of the crime and who may be involved. However, all evidence and information that was gathered pointed elsewhere.

“Eventually, Henderson developed a lead and was able to obtain a search warrant through a magistrate in Pennsylvania for a vehicle seen in the Littleton area the night of the fire/triple murder,” the remarks go on to say.

“The vehicle was transported to the West Virginia State Police Forensic Laboratory in South Charleston. After searching the suspect’s vehicle, blood was found that matched two of the three victims.’ This forensic evidence furthered Henderson’s investigation which led him to a person that was confronted by one of the suspects after the murder. Henderson was able to gain enough witnesses and physical evidence to obtain arrest warrants for two individuals for first degree murder. The two individuals were arrested in Pennsylvania, extradited back to West Virginia, and the primary suspect was ultimately convicted and sentenced to 40 years in prison.”

Henderson was further recognized for a case he was assigned to in February 2014. The eight year investigation involved a female victim who was sexually assaulted by her step-father. Since the crime occurred in 2006, no physical evidence was obtained.

Smithers’ remarks state that “Henderson knew the only way to solve the case was through circumstantial evidence and/or a confession.”

The only information Henderson had to go on was that the suspect may have been living in St. Clairsville, Ohio.

Hendreson traveled to Ohio and began a search for the suspect with negative results. However, using social media, he located the suspect living in a camper in Mingo Junction, Ohio, and the suspect volunteered to travel back to West Virginia with Henderson, who was successful in obtaining an audio-taped confession.

Smithers’ remarks go on to say that the suspect was indicted on 12 counts of sexual assault and other related crimes and was subsequently convicted.

“Henderson enjoys serving the citizens of West Virginia. He takes great pride in successfully solving criminal investigations. Therefore, I take great honor in presenting Corporal William D. Henderson the West Virginia State Police Superintendent’s Award,” Smithers stated.

Henderson is humble about his award but states that receiving the award is a very proud moment in his career, perhaps the proudest.

“I think I’d like to thank God more than anything. If it weren’t for Him, I couldn’t do any of this,” Henderson went on to say.

Henderson added that he would like to give special thanks to Joshua Haynes and Melissa Runyon, forensic analysts at the West Virginia State Police crime lab, for their outstanding work on the Littleton case.

“It ultimately got me the reward,” he stated.

“I’m just proud to be a member of such a fine organization as ours,” he added.

Cynthia Varner, secretary at Hundred’s WVSP Detachment, stated that she is very proud of Henderson.

“It’s an honor for someone from our detachment to receive that award. He’s not only a great trooper. He’s a great person. He’s just very kind,” Varner stated.

Varner added that Henderson is an excellent criminal investigator who cares about the community.

“He’s a very humble man, and he loves God above everything else. He’s just a good guy. He is a blessed man, and he tries to share his blessings with others. There’s not too many people like that anymore,” she added.

Wetzel County Prosecuting Attorney Timothy Haught stated Henderson is very deserving of the superintendent’s award.

“Time and time again he has demonstrated excellence as a state policeman and member of our community,” Haught stated, adding that he can always count on Henderson to do an outstanding job as a law enforcement officer.

Henderson was born and raised in Hundred, graduated from Hundred High School, and received his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Fairmont State University. He was also a K-9 handler for the regional jails before becoming a member of the West Virginia State Police. He was stationed in Morgantown, and has been stationed in Hundred for approximately 10 years.

As part of his award, Henderson received a plaque, as well as a brand new 2015 cruiser.