Leon Fox
Agency patch
Patrolman

Leon Fox

Felonious
End of Watch February 16, 1941
Age 32
Tour of Duty 10 yrs
Badge 2196
The Vigil Panel 77 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Leon Fox was shot and killed while escorting a store manager to the bank to deposit the daily receipts. Patrolman Fox was assigned to escort the manager of Loew’s Coney Island Movie Theatre to the bank with the daily receipts. As Patrolman Fox and the manager approached the bank entrance, they were approached by three men. One of the men grabbed the suitcase from the manager, and all three fled on foot. Patrolman Fox pursued the suspect but was shot and killed by the suspect. Before he died, Patrolman Fox emptied his gun at the suspect as they fled. All three suspects were later apprehended and convicted of murder. They were all sentenced to death. The verdict was then overturned by the United States Supreme Court. Two suspects were freed, and the third was retired. He was acquitted of all charges in that trial. Patrolman Fox had served with the New York City Police Department for ten years and was assigned to the 60th Precinct. He was survived by his wife and son. In July 2019, the corner of West 12th Street and Surf Avenue, where he was shot, was renamed Police Officer Leon Fox Way.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and son.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-8C480B7D
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Fox gave the New York City Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Fox.

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

Agency

Type Police Department
Location New York, NY
Platform Identity nypd.newyork.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 16, 1941
Tour of Duty 10 yrs
Age 32
Badge Number 2196
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

Patrolman Leon Fox 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 NY, 728 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.9% of this state's fallen. That is 33.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At New York City Police Department, 365 of 1237 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 29.5% of this agency's fallen.

New York City Police Department
365
of 1,237 officers
29.5% Felonious
NY — Statewide
728
of 2,147 officers
33.9% 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. Leon Fox's cause is highlighted.

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

How Leon Fox Compares

Age at Death
32
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
10
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.4 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Leon Fox is highlighted in Feb.

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. Leon Fox was killed by gun.

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

Incident Location