Leonard Russell Morris
Agency patch
Patrolman

Leonard Russell Morris

Felonious
End of Watch May 15, 1934
Age 37
The Vigil Panel 68 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Leonard Morris succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained two years earlier while chasing a suspect on Tazewell Avenue. The suspect was able to elude Patrolman Morris by hiding behind trash cans. As Patrolman Morris passed by, the suspect opened fire, striking him in the back. The man was sentenced to ten years in prison.

Survivors

Patrolman Morris was survived by his wife and three children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-FA82A282
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 Morris served with the Roanoke City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Roanoke community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Morris.

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

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Roanoke, VA
Platform Identity roanpd.roanoke.va.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 15, 1934
Age 37
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

Patrolman Leonard Russell Morris 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 VA, 394 of 656 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.1% of this state's fallen. That is 60.1 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Roanoke City Police Department, 12 of 15 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80% of this agency's fallen.

Roanoke City Police Department
12
of 15 officers
80% Felonious
VA — Statewide
394
of 656 officers
60.1% 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. Leonard Russell Morris's cause is highlighted.

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

How Leonard Russell Morris Compares

Age at Death
37
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Leonard Russell Morris is highlighted in May.

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. Leonard Russell Morris was killed by gun.

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