Captain Wade Welborn Laid to Rest

A loving and beloved father, brother and son, Kenneth Wade Welborn passed away unexpectedly on Sept. 13, 2022, at the age of 63. 

Wade retired a Captain from the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office in 2009 after 31 years of diligent service. After joining the office in 1978, he served as a uniform patrolman, Commander of the Central Substation and liaison to the District Attorney’s Office. 

Wade graduated from the FBI National Academy and took other courses and programs including the LSU Law Enforcement Academy and Institute. After retirement, he served as part of the security team for the Louisiana Dept. of Agriculture, where he worked with his brother Jimmy and his father.

A 1977 graduate of Central High School and an accomplished athlete, Wade was one of the first from Central to be selected to an All-American football team. He followed his family’s tradition with his love of history and had a special fondness for the history of law enforcement. Absorbing the lessons and stories of his father and other veteran officers, he often spoke accurately of events that he would have been too young to experience when they occurred. 

Wade was a member of Central Masonic Lodge #442 and also served as a board member on the Amite River Basin Drainage and Water Conservation Project. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, FBI Academy Association, Louisiana Peace Officers Association, Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association and the Central Rotary Club. He was named Peace Maker of the 

Year by the Lions Club in 1988.

Throughout his years in law enforcement and beyond, Wade was well liked and respected by all those he worked with, in his own and other agencies. He was loved far and wide for his dedication to family and friends, strong backbone, and good humor. 

A solid anchor, a loyal advocate, a voice of reason, the life of the party – Wade was all of these and so much more. If the nature of his job sometimes called for a no-nonsense approach, he was best known for a smile that could light up a room, a caring nature, and a kind heart. Most of all he loved the simplest things in life like having a cup of coffee and a biscuit, sitting on the back porch with his beloved dog Sadie Mae and son Blake.

Left to cherish Wade’s memory are his son Blake Welborn, his pride and joy from the day he was born; mother Anna Mae Welborn; brothers John “Coker” Welborn, Jr., Doug Welborn and Jimmy Welborn and wife Tammy. 

He is also survived by nieces Erica Welborn Malone and husband Ryan, Lindsey Welborn, Skylar Welborn and Piper Welborn; nephew Colby Welborn; great nephew Gabriel Malone; great nieces Dulcie and Juniper Malone and numerous cousins. 

Awaiting Wade in Heaven are his father, John Welborn, Sr.; brother Billy Welborn; sister Darlene Anne, who entered the world with Billy and Jimmy and preceded him after only three hours on earth; and great nieces and nephews Ryan, Landen and Lauren Welborn and Joseph “Little Joe” Malone.

Though he left us far too soon, Wade leaves behind wonderful times to remember, stories to tell and solid examples to be followed until his ultimate reunion with family and friends in Heaven. 

Visitation was held on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022 at Central Funeral Home, 9955 Hooper Road. Funeral services were held at 12 noon followed by procession to graveside service at Resthaven Gardens of Memory.

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Capt. Wade Welborn’s funeral was quite a community event.  A large crowd was waiting at 9 a.m. to enter Central Funeral Home.

A large group of government officials, community leaders, and law enforcement officers came to pay their condolences to the Welborn family.

Among those in attendance were District Attorney Hillar Moore, Chief Roger Corcoran, former Chief James Salsbury, Col. Bobby Dale Callender, and many others.

Mementos on display included Capt. Welborn’s sheriff’s uniform and some photos and awards from his days playing football for Central High School, where he was named an All-American.