Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer McLeod,
Sir, I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just as a Law Enforcement Officer but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Air Force. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)

June 9, 2024

Rest in peace Officer McLeod. Never forgot your heroism!

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 8, 2022

Rest in peace Officer McLeod. I was a young boy but I read about what happened and remembered it well. Sad. Always a Miami hero!

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 8, 2020

Even though I never got the opportunity to meet my cousin Ronnie, (fathers we’re brothers) I remember vividly my parents telling me of his death. His sister Betty told me a couple of years ago at a McLeod family reunion how it happened. What a true hero in life he was. Wished I could have met him, but him growing up in Miami and me in So Georgia it wasn’t meant to be. When I hear of an officer down I always think of my cousin and Hero Ronnie. Rest In Peace.

Barbara McLeod Wellman
Cousin

May 9, 2019

Rest in peace Officer McLeod.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 8, 2019

Rest In Peace Brother in Blue. Thank you and your family for your sacrifice and service to this country. Never forgotten. May the coward who took your life rot and suffer forever.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret.)
Upland Police Dept. CA

May 8, 2019

It was my extreme privilege to have known Officer McCleod. We both are Miami Edison grads. We are all very proud of Ron! I'll never forget his warm smile and sense of humor! To the sons and grandsons, know that you come from good stock! I shall never forget him ! GOD'S BLESSINGS!

Thomas Jackley, retired Postal Service,
Fellow Edison graduate

July 4, 2018

It is coincidental that I arrived on this page today - May 8th. My heart and prayers are with you. There is a connection between your family and mine. The connection is Mr. Gavin. Mr. Gavin nearly killed my father. My father never held any animosity towards Mr. Gavin. I always marveled at this, but this was his character. I know he suffered when he learned of Officer McLeod's tragic passing. My prayers are with you especially today. I thank God for Officer McLeod's service and for his son and grandson's dedication to the public. May God protect them both in their daily service to us and to Him.

Mrs. Susan P.
A concerned citizen (May 8th, 2015)

May 8, 2015

Oh Lord, and he was only 30 and had his babies for whom to care who are now without their father. My heart brakes for his immediate family, extended family and for our entire country. He will always be a part of all of those whom he has left behind. he is in your hearts and does, in deed, impact your every moment.....It certainly appears that our country lost a beautiful person......

Carole Hayes
friend

October 4, 2014

Your reflections are truly appreciated by myself and my family. I will share more on my father's life and death in the near future. I just received "the book" on the criminal case, his life remembered, which his only sister created for my brothers David, Michael and I to hold, as his memoir. It must have been so hard for my aunt Darlene to compile the newspaper clippings, and for my aunt Betty to painstakingly compose the articles, recreating this entire tragedy...to you, we are eternally grateful. The ability to now read the magnitude of events, to see the actual photos, articles, and to relive those moments...has had a greater impact on me than I expected. I have some questions answered, but more to ask...no more tears have fallen than as of late, more tears to come as each answer unfolds. For those of you that know of this case, this family, this man...I beg you to share more, as I now compile more chapters to add to "the book", yet to be named. It will not, however, be called; "Forgotten Heroes" as, not even one of them were, are, or ever will be...forgotten. As his children, we will be reaching out to those who have or will reflect on this site to thank them for their memories and endearing thoughts and prayers! We thank you and hope that it is truly believed that...this world we live in safely, is in tribute to those that wear that badge...which now includes my nephew, David's son, Officer Kyle McLeod. May he work in this line of duty, to protect his community and the law, as did his grandfather and father...with the grace of God guiding his daily steps. God be with you Kyle, today and always!

Rhonda Gail McLeod (-McCarl)
daughter of slain officer; Ronald F. McLeod

October 2, 2014

Thanks to the McLeod clan for sharing their stories. I drive by the street named after him almost every day and finally googled to see why he had a street named after him. I knew it wouldn't be good.

What a tragic loss for his family. He was so very young. Now, when I drive past the street sign, I know his picture and story. I'll just give him a silent thanks and, if it's safe, a quick salute to the sky as I drive by.

not a police officer
none

November 25, 2013

Rhonda, I was your Kindergarten teacher when your Dad was shot. I want you to know that I will always remember the love and dedication your parents had for you and their involvement in Benjamin Franklin Elementary School. I will not only always remember them, I will remember you.

Shirley Crowson
Kindergarten Teacher, Benjamin Franklin Elementary School, Miami, FL

February 10, 2013

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 43rd 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.

I pray for solace for all those that love and remember yoi for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Yor family is in my heart's embrace. Thanks to your family and friends for sharing their memories and devotion to you through their reflections.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

May 8, 2012

We will never forget the heroes who gave their all, and you sir are a hero... Continue to rest in peace Officer McLeod.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02
Union County SO, Lake Butler, FL

May 8, 2012

Rest in Peace, Officer McLeod. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

February 14, 2012

A tragic loss of a truly fine man and good friend, rest in eternal peace Ron.

Art Voss, Retired Sgt.
Friend and retired MPD

May 16, 2011

Today I had the pleasure of visiting Ronald McLeod's gravesite. As part of a project here called HERO: Honoring Every Resting Officer on Friday, April 29th, we placed two police badge flag holders on his gravesite, one with an American Flag and one with the Police Memorial Blue Line Flag. They will stay there for the month of May and then get picked up for us next year.

Retired Major Joseph T. Longueira
Miami Police Department

May 8, 2011

To The Family of Officer McLeod:
I wanted to offer my sympathies on your tragic death. The bravery and courage you displayed will never be forgotten. Jesse Gavin should have received a more severe punishment, but ultimately will get what he deserves. I believe you were killed just before the end of your shift, My dad was a longtime New York City policeman. Rest in peace Officer McLeod.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 8, 2011

RIP and continue to watch over your loved ones below.

Doris

September 15, 2008

While my husband was serving with the U.S. Army in Vietnam, the six chldren and I were living in the Miami area at the time of Ronnie's death.
We attended church at the Salvation Army on 5th Street and often had a motorcycle policeman pull along side when stopped for a traffic light. My first thought was always "What did I do?" Then, Ronnie would grin and say "Hi, Sis" Whew!! I wished many times later to hear that again.
We were at church on the Wednesday evening of the shooting and that's where I received the call that the policeman down was Ronnie.
I remember his funeral mass as a beautiful service. There were fellow officers from all over the state, the scripture verse "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13, the male choir singing our national anthem, and the long line of cars following us to the cemetery. I never hear the anthem without thinking of Ronnie.
He lives on through his chilren, all grown now and though his wife remarried, at her death she was buried beside Ronnie.
Our memories will always be precious.

Betty McLeod Cates
Sister

August 11, 2007

I WAS MOVED BY WHAT YOUR NEPHEW WROTE IN HIS REFLECTION.I HOPE THAT I HAVE TOUCHED SOMEONES LIFE AS YOU DID. THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE.

SGT.SPURLOCK

December 27, 2006

Never to be forgotten for your service and the price your family had to pay for your sacrifice. God bless the McLeod family!

Ret. PO Motorman
City of Miami PD

August 7, 2006

God Bless the McCloud family. I never met Ronnie, but I heard alot of good things about him while I worked for MPD.
I remember the day he got shot. I was working at that time for Longs M/C on Flagler St. I heard it on a news bulletin. It made me mad and I decided that day I wanted to put people like the guy that shot Ronnie away for good.

Jim May
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Dept.

September 28, 2004

Rest in peace motorman.

Inv. Michael Walker
Tallahassee Police Department

Blessed are the peacemakers,For they shall be called sons of God." Matthew 5:9

Anonymous