Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I was living in Cleveland the day your life was taken and I remeber hearing the news. Officer Leon, You will always be a Brother in Blue and you will not be forgotten.

Officer MP Bradley
Houston Police Department

December 8, 2005

Officer Leon, I remember that day, watching the T.V. and hearing the breaking news that a Cleveland Officer had been shot. My heart fell, and although I never met you, I prayed that you would be O.K.. Then the terrible news was released to the public that you were gone. My heart along with many,many others from the Cleveland area was broken. It has been over 5 years now,but I will never forget that day. I watched your funeral along with our children.I wanted them to know what a hero really was.YOU Officer Leon ARE a TRUE HERO. I feel that word is tossed around too much these days to people who do NOT deserve it. I do hope that is brings some comfort to your family and fellow officer's to know that you haven't been forgotten. We appreciate, I wish there was a better word, what you gave so that others would be able to live in a safer community. God Bless

OHIO
Summit County
11/10/2005

November 10, 2005

Officer Leon, I remember the news stories like they were yesterday. I was'nt an officer at the time. I was working at a fitting company and when I started the academy and a co-worker heard about it and said "have you ever heard of Wayne Leon? He used to work here and he ran this machine before he went to the academy". They spoke highly of you. I'll never forget that moment. Please know you will never be forgotten.

Ptl. Tim Ellis
Sagamore Hills Police Department

October 24, 2005

Rest in peace brother.

Police Officer
Denver Police Department

August 23, 2005

Its sad u were killed because some guy didn't want to pay didn't want to do some time in jail. You will not be forgotten.

Mike

July 6, 2005

Wayne,
It has been a while since I last wrote here, yet I continue to think of you throughout each and every day. This week...this week is Police Memorial week in Cleveland and Officers from all over the world will gather in Cleveland to pay their respects to you and so many other heroes who gave their lives in the line of duty. This week is emotional, one of pride and pain. I just want you to know that Grace and the Kids will see for the first time your video while working. A copy is being made while I type this. Grace, Justin, Gabrielle and Nicholas...I know that they always knew and believed, but now they can "see" through the video, just how great an Officer you were, and hear in your voice just how much you loved being a father and a husband.
God Bless you Wayne. You truly are Loved and Missed every minute of every day.
Love,
Terry

Terry

May 16, 2005

Here on earth, we have lost a brother, but our Lord in heaven has gained a Soldier, a Hero!

I lived in Cleveland in the 80's and worked with the Ohio Corrections Service.

All I can say about you Cleveland Cops, is that your awsome crime fighters!

God bless your loved ones.

PO Hector L Guzman 2170
US Dept. of Veterans Affairs Police
San Juan, Puerto Rico USA

PO Hector L Guzman
DVA Police San Juan

March 15, 2005

God bless you and your family at your tragic loss. You are a true hero to us all and you will never be forgotten.

DE
St. Louis City Police

January 30, 2005

Wayne,

I have come to know you through your family and friends, especially Grace. She is a strong woman, you would be so proud of her. She has become a pillar for other widows and famies that have lost a law enforcement officer.

We lost a brother here in Columbus and Grace came and offered her support. It was good to see her. Her kind words gave stregthn to Carrie and I.

Bryan was a good man just like you. The words that your friends and family shared about you have described him. I have cried alot recently and asked God why does He take our best ones. I don't have the answers. I have felt and seen the pain that wreckless fools have caused and I just don't understand. However, through all the tragedy, I have reflected within myself and have decided that I will live my life the way you and Bryan did. Always giving my best. I hope when people see me they see you and Bryan in me.

I think about you alot and pray for you and your family. I promise you brother, I will always be here for Grace, your children, and your family.

Ty

Ty Hollis
Columbus Division of Police

January 20, 2005

10/27/04

You are a tru hero. Rest in peace sir.

Captain Robert W. Cannon; Retired
Vermilion County Illinois Sheriff's Dept.

October 27, 2004

I remember the day you were taken from our community, like it was yesterday. It was amazing to see how a neighborhood came together and grieved as one. The memorial placed on Rocky River Drive is one that is special to my children and wife, in honor of our fallen. May God Bless You and Your Family, I know you are watching them. Please keep us safe. A fellow alumni and Officer!

Patrolman
Avon

May 21, 2004

I read your story recently in the Cleveland magazine and I was moved by what kind of person you were and the love you and your family shared. I wish I have had the chance to meet you and serve with a officer like you. I thankyou for the sacrifice that you made to make this a better and safer world for others. Rest easy friend and let us carry on your work. May god take care of your family and watch over them

A Fellow officer-Ptl.
Hiram police Deparment

April 13, 2004

Thank you for your courage and dedication brother Wayne, you are a true hero and will never be forgotten.

Son of G. Truman Wortham EOW 7/15/73

Assistant Chief Carl Wortham
Sand Springs Police Dept. Okla

February 26, 2004

Officer Leon,

I read the story of your untimely passing and it really got to me. I did not know you but from the reflections left by others, I can tell you were a fantastic person. I wanted to say "Thank You" for your sacrifice and all you gave up to help make this planet a better place for the rest of us. You are a true hero in every since of the word. I can only hope that when my time comes, I will have the pleasure and honor of meeting you in heavens above. Thank you Officer Leon and may God bless your family.

Detective T. Henshaw
Bell Gardens Police Department, CA.

February 10, 2004

I can still remember your funeral. I did not know you but, attended your funeral with another member of my department after we had both worked a double. It was the first one i have ever attended and has always stuck with me. I still remember driving down the road and seeing the community lining the streets, and the officers from all over. I was easy to see how much you were loved. My thoughts are still with you and your family. I graduate the academy in 2 months and you helped me realize how truly real this job is,and take my training alot more seriously. I wish this never would have happened to you but, I cant change things. Just know that you have given people that never even knew you strength and probabally alot more than you will ever even know.I know i will have angels watching over me, and you are being well taken care of. Thank you for the job you did. God bless your family.

Jill dispatcher/reserve officer
ohio, near youngstown

January 24, 2004

Rest in Peace & thank-you for all your hard work as a Peace officer. We slaute you for ever always.

Scott

December 4, 2003

Wayne,
Your Dad, I and others, went to your brother Jake's graduation from Boot Camp. It was unbelievable as we watched him march across that parade deck, walked with him throughout the base and listened, as for the first time, he was called "Marine." We could see the dedication and determination in his eyes....and we could see you as well. Your dad and I both knew you were there with us, not only in spirit, but within Jake. I can't explain it other than to say we knew you were there, we just knew. Jake has so much of you within him.
He is home for Thanksgiving now and goes back tomorrow to complete his training at the School of Infantry, Camp Lejeune.
They are being told that they may be shipping to where the fighting is shortly. Continue to watch over him Wayne...I know that you will, just like you always have...
We love you always!
Terry

Terry

November 28, 2003

Wayne,
Your little brother, Jake, graduates from Boot Camp in 5 days. He did it Wayne...he worked so hard and now he has earned the title of United States Marine. He has done so well. You'd be so proud of him...he qualified as "expert" at the rifle range...just like you. I know that you will be there with us when he marches across that parade deck. He carries you with him everywhere...you can see it in his eyes. You did good "Big Brother"... Your little brother is a Marine.

Terry

October 18, 2003

Wayne,

This has been a tough year. We miss you so much.
Tomorrow is you little brother's 16th birthday...
It is also Father's day...you should be proud of Grace...she will forever keep you alive in Justin, Gabby and Nicky's hearts.
It is so sad because tomorrow should just be a happy day for everyone...Our days will never be the same without you.
We will go on...there will be birthdays and holidays and graduations....but they will not be what they should have been. We do carry you in our hearts and with that we find comfort. Time may ease the pain, but we will always feel the loss. We love you...

Terry

Wayne,

While I never had the pleasure of meeting you, I felt like I knew you from speaking with the officers who had the pleasure of knowing you and working with you. This last week saw the observance of Police Memorial Day, and the memorial service in Cleveland. The number of officers in attendance from all over the U.S., Canada, and Germany showed the kind of man, husband, father, and officer you were. My one hope is that you are resting in peace with our Saviour. Your love continues to live on in your wife and children.

Auxilliary Officer Patrick S. Cater
Euclid Police Department

Today they found your murderer guilty of Aggravated Murder of A Police Officer. Even though we find some comfort in this...we will never be able to truly feel good, because we are still without you. It has been a very long process and you would be proud of your family and friends, for all of their continued love and support. I know you knew how much your family loved you, but I wonder if you knew just how much you were loved by your fellow officers. These past few months have proven to us all that "Police Officers" truly are a "Family" in every sense of the word.

Wayne, you are loved so very much by us all and we will forever carry you in our hearts.
Wayne, we are so very, very proud of the man and the officer you had become and now, will forever be.

Terry

I had the honor of working an evening shift with Wayne and his partner. I was doing research and could think of no one that I would rather work with than Wayne. I remember everything about that day. I remember how proud I was that he had become a very, very fine officer. I remember thinking how, in my years on the department, I had worked with some fine men and women, but that Wayne was something very special. I felt this not just because he was my step-son, but because he had a genuine passion and compassion for the City of Cleveland and its people. I wonder if those who didn't know Wayne, but learned of his death, will ever truly know the wonderful human being he was...a loving husband, father, brother, son, friend and co-worker...It is so sad and wrong that there are so many people who will never be given the chance to meet and get to know Wayne. What a tremendous loss to us all.

Wayne...you are forever in our thoughts and in our prayers

..We love you…

Terry Macias, #1333 Retired
Cleveland, Ohio, Police Department

Wayne,
Your little brother Jake left for the Marine Corps this week. It seems so hard to believe. You would have been proud of him Wayne. He was so strong standing there taking the Oath. I just knew that you were there with him. I remember the times you used to always carry him on your shoulders, you were and still are so very special to him. Please continue to carry him Wayne. Watch over him and keep him safe and please bring him home from everywhere he goes and all that he will see. He scored so high on his entrance exam, yet he chose the infantry. He wanted to go where he felt he could do the most....just like you with the CPD. Just like his big brother. I love you both.
Terry


“My Badge at Heart”

We band of Brothers and Sisters have fought so very hard
Protected our streets, our people, their homes
Protected the children, the aged and the tired
Protected each other, our brothers and our sisters
We prayed every night and every day since we swore to protect and uphold
God, let us return to those who too are so brave
Our mothers and fathers our brothers and sisters
God let me once again hold my wife, my sons and my daughters
Allow me to picnic with my family, celebrate a wedding, and sing happy birthday
God, please let me live to teach my sons to play catch and to watch my daughters dance
Please let me grow old with love, compassion, and strength
But most of all God, if you need me to lay down my life for another
Please, please tell my family, my loved ones, and my friends
I died not in vain, I sought no heroics
I died doing what I was proud to do
I died being who I was proud to be
I died, my badge at heart

Written in memory of Wayne A. Leon
Dedicated to all Blue Angels and their families
Terry

Terry

Three years today, we lost you. We wish we could tell you how much you live on in our memories. Your face, your laugh, your voice, your smile...everything. We see you everyday as we close our eyes and remember. It isn't any easier, the emptiness remains. The only comfort is in knowing that you no longer have to deal with hell. God got the best when he called roll that day and you were there. Smile in Heaven Wayne, and please know that we will always love you.

Terry and Jake Jr.

Wayne,
It has been nearly 3 years since you were taken from us. Still seems like yesterday...
Jake Jr. Graduated HS 6/08, I know that you would have been there...
He leaves for the Marines 7/28. Hard to believe. Still have all of the pictures of you and he when he was just a toddler.
As you and the other officers in God's heaven watch over those that continue to walk the beat...please watch over Jake as well...I know you will.

Terry