Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Leon and I were in the same patrol school and were stationed in Sand Springs after graduation. He was a wonderful partner and a great friend.
After all these years I'm still remembering things we did together and all the good times.

Rest in peace brother.

Retired Lt. Eddie Kirkland
Oklahoma Highway Patrol

October 6, 2021

I didn’t know about this site until today. I took the phone call at the Sapulpa PD that fateful day. After all his years I remember all of the details of every phone call I took and radio transmission that day. I remember when the date the time called wanting me to enter that “Old boy” in NCIC, but was thankfully able to tell him the man has been arrested and we were shutting all of the intersections down to get him to the jail. I remember the trail and hanging out with The troopers in the hallway; everyone waiting to be called in. I wasn’t up on the hill that day as the officers were but we i’ll suffer together. Rest in peace Leon.

Paige McClain, records clerk/dispatcher
Sapulpa PD

May 28, 2020

Thinking of you today....hard to believe it's been 33 years. I remember it like it was yesterday. Leon was a co-worker of mine at Sapulpa Police Department but more than that he was my friend. Missing you!

Pamela Pollard Mozarko
Friend/Co-Worker Sapulpa Police Department

October 5, 2016

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 30th anniversary year of your death. I am privileged to leave a tribute to you. 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.

I pray for the solace of all those that call you beloved.

Phyllis Lasater Loya
mom of fallen Pittsburg (CA) Officer Larry Lasater, eow 4/24/05

September 18, 2013

It was an honor to have known you Leon.

Chief Linda Card (at that time)
Kiefer Police Dept (at that time)

September 2, 2013

Leon, I miss you.

Your litter mate.

Jack Holloway CPT Retired
OHP

August 2, 2012

I was fortunate to have met Leon Bench while attending Tulsa Jr Collage with instructors Capt Bill Wilbanks, Drew Diamond, and Buddy Fallis. The day of the incident was tragic as most of the TJC security team worked or at least knew him. I could not help being touched by the reactions of these wonderful peace officers and my class mates. To this day I have the subsequent intact news papers from that event. RIP Leon

Dennis Kasabian USA MP Sgt ret. Sav, Ga
USA MP Sgt ret. Sav, Ga

June 20, 2012

Rest in peace Trooper Bench. I was wondering if you were related to Hall of Fame Reds catcher Johnny Bench. I believed he hails from Oklahoma.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 6, 2012

My sweet cousin. I remember your collection of fossil bones. And sliding down hills on cardboards. And your curiosity. Oh God, please bless sweet Leon.

Suetta Burt
Cousin

March 5, 2012

I knew and amired Leon a great deal. We worked together as patrol officers on the Sapulpa Police Department and he was with me at the hospital when my first daughter was born. I live in Cincinnati, Ohio now but think about you often and still visit your grave everytime I visit Oklahoma. I once left a Road Champs Oklahoma Highway Patrol car replica with your unit number added to it, on your headstone. Your dad has it now. Rest in Peace Leon, my valued friend.

Richard G. (Ande) Anderson
Friend/Co-worker Sapulpa Police Department

December 7, 2011

Every year when October 5th rolls around I think of Leon and that tragic day. Leon and I worked together at the Sapulpa Police Department, I was a dispatcher then. We became close friends and I still miss him dearly. He was a great guy and lots of fun to be around. Rest in Peace Leon and know you were loved.

PAMELA POLLARD MOZARKO
FRIEND / CO-WORKER

October 5, 2011

Leon and I worked together at Sapulpa PD, we were neigbors as well as co-workers. I will never forget our fishing trips or our shifts together at the PD. Leon made the shift go by quicker with his humor as well as the pranks we All played on each other. Leon was a good man and friend and I continue to miss him as I will never forget that dreadful day on Highway 97. Leon will be in my heart forever, a Good loyal friend and has been missed by many people.

Det. Sgt. Rick Weaver
Jenks Police Dept formerly w/ Sapulpa PD

October 5, 2011

Leon,
Since that faithful day in October 1983, I have thought a lot about you, your imediate family (wife, daughter, and mother and father), and our other family members. I am your cousin that lived next door to your mom and dad in Coweta, at the time.
Although we were not close, I still feel bonded. Not only as a family member (blood is thicker than water), but as another law enforcement officer.
Rest in Peace, Leon

R.Deputy Robert Baldwin
Tulsa Co. Sheriffs Office / Cousin

October 16, 2010

Leon,
All I ever wanted was to be a police officer.
I was working for the Pismo Beach Police Dept. As an Explorer.
My Father Called me, he told me how Leon had died.
My world was shattered, I still cry when I remember him.
A short time after I recived a small package in the mail.
My Grandfather sent me Leon's Sam Brown "duty belt" as well as his boots, we were the same size.
I wore his boots and belt on duty.....and never went back.
That was the last day I ever worked a shift.........
Soon After my father Died from cancer.I felt alone. I never realized my dream. If I could take it all back I would. I let you down Leon , I let myself down,. Im so sorry, I let the fear stop me in my path. I should have been the next generation..I guess having the boots and belt doesen't mean you can fill their shoe’s or in this case his Boots.

I think often how life might have been........

Lance Garrison
Nephew-Pismo Beach Police Department

November 6, 2008

My dear friend, Leon, it is rapidly approaching 25 years.
I continue to miss your smile and humor. You will never be forgotten.

Vickie Vickers
friend

August 29, 2008

"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

January 9, 2008

I worked a shift with Leon the day before. we had plans on meeting again when I came back from days off. That never happened. I think of you every day of my career. It has been almost 23 years and I will still go by your gravesite every chance I get. I will retire in about 2 years and you are still my partner. I will see you again some day. "NO PAIN" 39th Academy.

Trp. Mike Chappell #707
Classmate and partner

August 5, 2006

Just wanted to say that Leon is still missed by his friends. We who attended school with Leon will never forget that his life was given while protecting his family and friends. We still think about you often Leon.

Robert W. Whitney

November 3, 2005

On the anniversary of your death, I salute you for your service and honor you for your sacrifice.

A hero never dies....

God bless, hero. Rest in peace.

A grateful citizen.

October 5, 2004

09-19-03
TROOPER BENCH, YOU DID NOT DIE IN VAIN. YOU STILL LIVE IN OUR HEARTS TODAY AND EVERY DAY. MAY GOD BLESS YOU. REST IN PEACE MY BROTHER.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RETIRED
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.

September 19, 2003