Incident
Night Police Chief Leonard Sizemore was shot and killed by an intoxicated man he was attempting to arrest at 2:00 am.
Neighbors complained about noise at a local speakeasy on East Oak Street. When Chief Sizemore arrived, an argument ensued between him and the owner. When he tried to arrest the owner, the man shot him in the head, and all patrons ran from the building. Chief Sizemore's body was found an hour later.
When officers attempted to arrest the suspect, the man shot and wounded a deputy sheriff. The suspect was shot and killed in return fire.
Night Police Chief had served with the Carbondale Police Department for 10 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, granddaughter, two sisters, and a brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-C7470D89- 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.
Night Police Chief Sizemore gave the Carbondale Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Carbondale community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Night Police Chief Sizemore.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Night Police Chief Leonard Alonzo Sizemore 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 IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 63.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Leonard Alonzo Sizemore's cause is highlighted.
How Leonard Alonzo Sizemore Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Leonard Alonzo Sizemore is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Leonard Alonzo Sizemore was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Carbondale Police Department are honored on badge.nw.