Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer George and Deputy Marshal Samuel Lilly, of the United States Marshals Service, were shot and killed after being ambushed at about 1900 hours at approximately 15 miles from Wilmington. The two were returning for a liquor still raid when they were attacked as the crossed a creek. Both officers and Officer George's dog were shot at close range and killed. Four suspects were apprehended. Two of them were father and son and executed for the murders on the same day.
Survivors
Officer George had been with the agency for 25 years and was survived by his mother, brother and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-8E8AF7BB- 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 Leon. 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
25 years. You could have gone home.
Officer George gave the Wilmington Police Department 25 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Wilmington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer George.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Leon George 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 NC, 385 of 664 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58% of this state's fallen. That is 58 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Wilmington Police Department, 4 of 12 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Leon George's cause is highlighted.
How Leon George Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Leon George is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Leon George was killed by gun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Wilmington Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
