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Incident
Deputy Leslie Roark was shot and killed after responding to a domestic disturbance call. He was shot and wounded as he was leaving the residence after checking on the safety of the family. After shooting Deputy Roark the first time, the suspect then exited the residence and shot him in the head. He was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds the following day. Learning of the shooting, the county sheriff responded to the scene; however, the suspect had left the area. The man drove to the sheriff's home and murdered his wife. The next day the suspect shot and killed Deputy Sandra Wilson of the Miller County Sheriff's Department and Sheriff Charles Smith of the Cooper County Sheriff's Department. He was eventually apprehended and convicted of capital murder. He was executed on January 9, 2002. Deputy Roark had served with the Moniteau County Sheriff's Office for two years and had previously served with the Tipton Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Roark gave the Moniteau County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the California community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Roark.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Moniteau County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Leslie is one of 527 officers killed feloniously in MO, 63.6% of the 829 remembered there.
Leslie is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Leslie is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1991, 5 officers in MO were killed feloniously, the 29th heaviest of 146 years on record. The heaviest was 1920, with 16.
In 1991, 85 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 76th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1991, 98 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 65th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Leslie was 27. Of the 477 killed feloniously in MO whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Leslie had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Leslie was 27. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Leslie had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Leslie was 27. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Leslie had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 11% of these deaths in MO, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 14.6%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Moniteau County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was gun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.6% of all 829 deaths in MO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 38% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Moniteau County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Leslie among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 16-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Moniteau County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.