Roll of Honor
Leonard B. Wilcox
Incident
Police Officer Leonard Wilcox and Police Officer Mark Decker were shot and killed while attempting to question a suspicious man at the Brecksville VA Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio. Both officers were armed only with mace due to administrative guidelines. While the officers were talking with the man he pulled out a .45 caliber handgun and shot Officer Decker, killing him instantly. Officer Wilcox attempted to run for cover, but the suspect chased him before shooting him as well. The 28-year-old suspect was convicted of two counts of murder and sentenced to two life terms. He will be eligible for parole on October 1, 2046. Officer Wilcox had served with the Department of Veterans Affairs Police for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FED-3A63B81D- 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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Marine Corps. One record, 2 gates. Leonard is one person.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Wilcox gave the United States Department of Veterans Affairs Police Services 2 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Wilcox.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Leonard B. Wilcox served in the U.S. Marine Corps (1968â1972) before joining law enforcement.
Police Officer Leonard B. Wilcox 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 DC, 754 of 1,418 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.2% of this state's fallen. That is 53.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At United States Department of Veterans Affairs Police Services, 5 of 11 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 45.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Leonard B. Wilcox's cause is highlighted.
How Leonard B. Wilcox Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Leonard B. Wilcox is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Leonard B. Wilcox was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Military Service
Leonard B. Wilcox served in the U.S. Marine Corps (1968–1972) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Leonard B. Wilcox’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from United States Department of Veterans Affairs Police Services are honored on badge.nw.
