Roll of Honor
Incident
Trooper Leroy Bender was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver in Sanford while assisting with removing a vehicle from a ditch on the Sanford Mount Dora Highway. The vehicle's mirror struck Trooper Bender in the head, causing a fatal injury. The driver later turned himself in and was charged with technical manslaughter. Trooper Bender had served with the Florida Highway Patrol for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, mother, father, two sisters, and three brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-5A4E3968- 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.
Trooper Bender gave the Florida Highway Patrol 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Florida. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Bender.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Trooper Leroy C. Bender 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 FL, 539 of 1,008 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.5% of this state's fallen. That is 53.5 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Florida Highway Patrol, 23 of 54 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Leroy C. Bender's cause is highlighted.
How Leroy C. Bender Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Leroy C. Bender is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Leroy C. Bender was killed by automobile.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
53 officers from Florida Highway Patrol are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
