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Incident
Captain Leonard was in charge of detail at the local train depot. A crowd of more than five thousand citizens had gathered to welcome home soldiers from the Spanish-American War. When the train did not slow down, the officers attempted to clear the tracks. Captain Leonard was struck and killed by the train as he helped a mother and child to safety. The train was a freight train, not the soldiers’ train.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
128 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Captain Leonard gave the Pittsfield Police Department 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the Pittsfield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Pittsfield Police Department has lost 4 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Michael is one of 158 officers lost to accidents in MA, 33.7% of the 469 remembered there.
Michael is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Michael is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1898, 2 officers in MA were lost to accidents, the 15th heaviest of 86 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1898, 13 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 132nd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1898, 17 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 137th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Michael was 55. Of the 154 lost to accidents in MA whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 39. Michael had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Michael was 55. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Michael had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Michael was 55. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Michael had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 8.2% of these deaths in MA; August holds the most, 12.7%. Wednesdays: 15.8%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.6%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 4 deaths at Pittsfield Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 33.7% of all 469 deaths in MA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Pittsfield Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Michael among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 15-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Pittsfield Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
