Leonard Byrd Rainey
Agency patch
Police Officer

Leonard Byrd Rainey

Acworth Police Department — Acworth, GA
Felonious
End of Watch April 12, 1952
Age 50
The Vigil Panel 88 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Police Officer Pete Rainey succumbed to complications from gunshot wounds he received when he was shot on March 27, 1952.

Around midnight, an officer noticed two suspicious men and enlisted Officer Rainey's assistance in questioning them on Seminole Road. When the officers approached, a subject exited the vehicle and fired at them. The other officer slapped the gun down, causing a bullet to ricochet, striking Officer Rainey in his foot instead of his chest. Both officers returned fire, hitting one of the subjects.

Officer Rainey was transported to Kennestone Hospital, where he lost two toes. Sixteen days later, he suffered a blood clot attributed to his gunshot wound, and he passed away.

The two men were attempting to steal the car when the officers arrived at the scene. One of the subjects, a parolee with a warrant for violating parole, died en route to the hospital. The other subject, a convicted felon, was apprehended and convicted of possessing dynamite.

Officer Rainey also served as a fireman with the City of Acworth.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, daughter, a sister, and a brother.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-8F8086F0
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 Leonard. 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.
Police Officer Rainey served with the Acworth Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Acworth community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Rainey.

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

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Acworth, Cobb County, GA
Platform Identity acwopd.cobb.ga.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 12, 1952
Age 50
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Handgun; .45 caliber

Police Officer Leonard Byrd Rainey 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 GA, 549 of 905 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.7% of this state's fallen. That is 60.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Acworth Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.

Acworth Police Department
1
of 2 officers
50% Felonious
GA — Statewide
549
of 905 officers
60.7% 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 Byrd Rainey's cause is highlighted.

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

How Leonard Byrd Rainey Compares

Age at Death
50
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Leonard Byrd Rainey is highlighted in Apr.

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 Byrd Rainey was killed by handgun; .45 caliber.

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 Acworth Police Department are honored on badge.nw.