Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Conerely was shot and killed after responding to a call of a man with a gun. The suspect walked into a bank brandishing a pistol and a knife. Patrolman Conerely found the suspect walking on a nearby street with a shogun. As he approached, the suspect shot him in the head. He shot at other officers arriving on the scene with his pistol before being taken into custody. On May 29, 1980, the suspect, 28, was convicted of capital murder, aggravated assault, and sentenced to life plus 30 years. As of December 7, 2022, he was in prison.
Survivors
Patrolman Conerely had served with the Columbia Police Department for seven years and was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MS-67883F0D- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Conerely gave the Columbia Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Columbia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Conerely.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Leonard Conerely is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In MS, 242 of 349 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.3% of this state's fallen. That is 15.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Columbia Police Department, 3 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Leonard Conerely's cause is highlighted.
How Leonard Conerely Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Leonard Conerely is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Leonard Conerely was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Columbia Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
