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Incident
Chief John Leonard and Sheriff Orville Litchfield, of the Marshall County Sheriff's Department, were shot and killed when they attempted to arrest a man for beating his wife.
The suspect escaped after the murders and was the focus of a large manhunt. He was arrested by Evanston, Illinois, detectives in July 1926.
The 60 year-old suspect was convicted of murder and died in prison on May 11, 1933.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Night Police Chief Leonard served with the Toluca Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Toluca community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Night Police Chief Leonard.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
John is the only officer of Toluca Police Department remembered here.
John is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
John 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 1925, 22 officers in IL were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1925, 208 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1925, 209 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 55. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38.
John was 55. 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.
John was 55. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
September holds 8.8% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Mondays: 14.4%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Toluca Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 30.6% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
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