Fred J. Leavitt
Agency patch
City Marshal

Fred J. Leavitt

Bolivar Police Department — Bolivar, MO
Felonious
End of Watch September 26, 1939
The Vigil Panel 76 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Marshal Leavitt was shot and killed as he and the Polk County sheriff attempted to question a man at the town square about possessing a concealed firearm. The suspect pulled out the gun and shot both officers, killing Marshal Leavitt. The suspect fled town but later turned himself in. The 19-year-old suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life.

Survivors

Marshal Leavitt was survived by his family.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-47FB152D
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Fred. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
City Marshal Leavitt served with the Bolivar Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Bolivar community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, City Marshal Leavitt.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Bolivar, Polk County, MO
Platform Identity bpd.polk.mo.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 26, 1939
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

City Marshal Fred J. Leavitt is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.

In MO, 516 of 813 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.5% of this state's fallen. That is 63.5 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Bolivar Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Bolivar Police Department
2
of 2 officers
100% Felonious
MO — Statewide
516
of 813 officers
63.5% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Fred J. Leavitt's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Fred J. Leavitt Compares

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Fred J. Leavitt is highlighted in Sep.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Fred J. Leavitt was killed by gun.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from Bolivar Police Department are honored on badge.nw.