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Joseph Eugene LeClaire Jr.
Incident
Sergeant Joseph LeClaire was shot and killed when he and two other court officers attempted to serve a warrant on the 4900 block of Stenton Avenue on a suspect wanted for failing to appear in court.
The officers arrived at the suspect's residence at 1:42 am and were admitted into the apartment by a female. When the officers entered the residence, the wanted man opened fire, striking Sergeant LeClaire in the head and stomach. One of the other officers was shot in the stomach and the third was shot in the hand.
At least one of the other officers was able to return fire and wounded the suspect as he attempted to flee. The man was taken into custody a short time later. Sergeant LeClaire was transported to Albert Einstein University Hospital where he was pronounced dead approximately 2 hours later.
The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death March 13, 2006.
Sergeant LeClaire was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. He had been assigned to the Court of Common Pleas for nine years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two grown children.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 30, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Marine Corps. One record, 2 gates. Joseph is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Sergeant LeClaire gave the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania Warrant Unit 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Joseph Eugene LeClaire Jr. served in the U.S. Marine Corps (1969â1973) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Joseph is the only officer of First Judicial District of Pennsylvania Warrant Unit remembered here.
Joseph is one of 598 officers killed feloniously in PA, 47.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2004, 3 officers in PA were killed feloniously, the 61st heaviest of 152 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 16.
In 2004, 79 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 86th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2004, 83 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 83rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joseph was 53. Of the 585 killed feloniously in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Joseph had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Joseph was 53. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Joseph had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joseph was 53. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Joseph had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 9.4% of these deaths in PA; September holds the most, 10.5%. Fridays: 15.6%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at First Judicial District of Pennsylvania Warrant Unit. The weapon recorded was handgun; .45 caliber, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 47.4% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .45 caliber, in 1.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .45 caliber, in 0.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .45 caliber, in 0.5% of these deaths.
Where
Military Service
Joseph Eugene LeClaire Jr. served in the U.S. Marine Corps (1969–1973) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Joseph Eugene LeClaire Jr.’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Laid to Rest
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 61-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from First Judicial District of Pennsylvania Warrant Unit are honored on badge.nw.