Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

God rest his soul.

Sgt. Robert A. Henne
Jersey City PD/Ret.

February 16, 2024

Thinking of Leon today as I am preparing to give a testimony at my wife's local church. I knew Leon since 1976 when my family moved to Lewis County. He was an incredibly forward thinking person, he was thinking in grade school and junior high the thoughts that middle age adults struggle with. He also held his classmates in the most high regard, a friend of his was truly a friend. I still appreciate being his friend, and look forward to great times together with our Lord in God's playground.
Peace

Senior Airman, USAF
Classmate

May 27, 2018

rip brother you are not forgotten

C/O CHIRICHELLO CERT
LANCASTER PA

June 22, 2016

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
GOD Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

June 22, 2015

On this, the 10th Anniversary of your brutal and senseless murder I just want to salute you, sir. I remember reading about this the day after it happended ans was deeply saddened. I still am. Thank you for your bravery, duty and ultimate sacrifice. You will FOREVER be a hero and will NEVER be forgotten!

SGT Mark B. Hanna, Retired
Fayetteville, AR PD

June 22, 2010

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 9th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace.

In reading the loving reflections, I see that you are missed and loved by many and that you had a profound impact on the lives of others. I hold your family and friends in my heart's embrace today.

Phyllis Loya

Anonymous

June 22, 2009

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

December 10, 2007

I am now the same age you were. You had no chance against them, but now you and your partner are at peace and they shall suffer the torment of guilt the rest of their lives.

Andrew
brother-in-law of Fisheries and Oceans Canada Officer

December 24, 2005

I will never forget that horrible Thursday morning. I was in class that week with a couple of guy from Randolph County. To bad it took such an event for the county to build a new jail. Rest in peace sir.

Deputy
Audrain County (MO) Sheriff's Dept

June 23, 2005

I stop by this website often after the death of two dear friends with the NCSHP (Troopers Calvin Taylor E.O.W. October 3, 2001 and Anthony Cogdill E.O.W. May 30, 2003).
Unfortunately, I had to add the name of another friend. Deputy Jeffrey Hewitt, Buncombe County (NC) Sheriff’s Department, E.O.W. April 4, 2004.

We all grieve over the lives lost in the line of duty. I hope you can find some comfort knowing that there are countless prayers that go out for your family.

These are senseless tragedies that never seem to stop. God Bless the men and women who continue to serve their communities in our great Nation.

...Gone, but never Forgotten....

Marti Ingle (EMT-Paramedic)
Haywood Co EMS (NC)

April 11, 2004

My husband and I have been close to Leon for many years and he was a very large part of our lives. Leon always had a smile, always had time for those he loved and cared about. He loved this community and his life was devoted to improving the safety and security for everyone. Leon was a quiet man but still waters ran deep within and he stood firm for what he believed in. He always focused on the positive and bright side of things, striving to enrich the lives of others! Leon and I often shared long and lengthy discussions and we debated just about everything.

Leon would not want our community to live in fear or anger from the circumstances of his and Jason's deaths. Instead, he would want "positive things" to stem from this tragedy. I strongly believe that Leon would be proud of the changes that have already taken place at the Sheriff's Dept. and changes yet to come. He paid the ultimate sacrifice for us, let us remember his courage and devotion always!

As someone deeply connected to Leon and being an Officer myself, often times we are taken for granted. Let us not forget to "THANK" the Officer's around us whom we work beside and depend upon, both on duty and off duty. At all levels of Law Enforcement...we are family and we are a "TEAM!"

Annie Osbourn
MO Dept. Of Corrections (Moberly Correctional Center)

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Leon's family, friends, and department.  I felt very honored, being chosen to represent my department at his memorial service.  I could tell Leon was very well respected and loved by his community, family, and department.  I hope that Deputy Acton's and Leon's ultimate sacrifices will not be in vein. I pray that Leon's memory will be a guiding light through this nightmare, and that he will continue to touch those who loved him so very much.

Deputy Sheriff BD Jones
Iron County Sheriff's Department, MO

The Officer's stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
They hoped their shoes were shining.
Just as brightly as their brass.

"Step forward now, Officers.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My church have you been true?"

The men squared their shoulders and
The Policeman spoke first
"No, Lord, I guess We ain't,
Because those of us who carry badges
can't always be a saint.

We've had to work most Sundays,
and at times our talk was rough,
and sometimes we've been violent,
Because the streets are tough.

The Corrections Officer then added,
But we never took a penny,
That wasn't ours to keep...
Though we worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep.

And we never passed a cry for help,
Though at times we shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive us,
We've wept unmanly tears.

Together they say,
We know We don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted us around
Except to calm their fear.

If you've a place for us here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
We never expected or had too much,
But if you don't...We'll understand.

There was silence around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the Officers waited quietly,
For the judgment of their God.

"Step forward now, Officers,
You've borne your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell."

Anonymous