Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Roy Leon and Chief of Police Leonard Cross were shot and killed after stopping a 16-year-old juvenile on a stolen motorcycle. During the ensuing struggle, the suspect gained control of Chief Cross' weapon and shot both officers. The juvenile offender was captured six hours later. The juvenile had a long criminal record, mostly involving stolen motorcycles. Since 1978, he has served three terms in juvenile facilities. On February 14, 1985, he was convicted of two counts of capital murder and sentenced to life without parole. As of December 13, 2022, he was in prison. He has committed 28 major disciplinary violations. The killing of Police Officer Roy Leon and Chief of Police Leonard Cross left the town without any full-time law enforcement officers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AR-3E8816C0- 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.
Police Officer Leon served with the Cotton Plant Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Cotton Plant community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Leon.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Roy L. Leon, Jr. 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 AR, 249 of 372 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.9% of this state's fallen. That is 12.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Cotton Plant Police Dept., 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Roy L. Leon, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Roy L. Leon, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
stolen vehicle
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Roy L. Leon, Jr. is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Roy L. Leon, Jr. was killed by officer's handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Cotton Plant Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
