Roll of Honor
Mark S. Decker
Incident
Police Officer Mark Decker and Police Officer Leonard Wilcox 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 Decker was single and had served in law enforcement for 11 years.
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- 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. Air Force. One record, 2 gates. Mark is one person.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Decker gave the United States Department of Veterans Affairs Police Services 11 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Decker.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Mark S. Decker served in the U.S. Air Force (1975â1979) before joining law enforcement.
Police Officer Mark S. Decker 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. Mark S. Decker's cause is highlighted.
How Mark S. Decker Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Mark S. Decker is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Mark S. Decker was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Military Service
Mark S. Decker served in the U.S. Air Force (1975–1979) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Mark S. Decker’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.
