Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Leroy Wade was shot and killed from ambush by a fellow officer who was under the mistaken belief that Officer Wade was having an affair with his wife.
The other officer called police headquarters and requested that Officer Wade assist him regarding an ongoing robbery investigation. When Patrolman Wade arrived at 5th Avenue and Sunbury Road, the officer confronted him and shot him in the abdomen.
The officer who shot him was charged with first-degree murder but was found not guilty due to mental insanity. He was subsequently committed to a state hospital.
Patrolman Wade was survived by one child.
Survivors
Patrolman Wade was survived by one child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-E6E96486- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Wade gave the Columbus Division of Police 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Columbus community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Wade.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Leroy W. Wade is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 3.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Columbus Division of Police, 36 of 59 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Leroy W. Wade's cause is highlighted.
How Leroy W. Wade Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Leroy W. Wade is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
58 officers from Columbus Division of Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
