Roll of Honor

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Town Marshal

William Lattimore Lea

Kentwood Police Department — Kentwood, LA

Felonious

End of Watch October 14, 1902

Age 47

The Vigil Panel 18 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 1

Incident

Town Marshal William Lea was shot and killed in an act of revenge while patrolling the town at approximately 7:00 pm.

Several weeks prior a man had been fined $50 after being arrested by Marshal Lea for selling whiskey. The man held a grudge against Marshal Lea and earlier in the day he and several friends got drunk and threatened him.

Marshal Lea continued patrolling the town and was walking front of the man's store when he was shot through the head with a .38 caliber rifle. The man was charged with Marshal Lea's murder but was acquitted.

Marshal Lea was survived by his wife and 12 children.

Survivors

Marshal Lea was survived by his wife and 12 children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-LA-F0BAA8F3
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.
Town Marshal Lea served with the Kentwood Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Kentwood community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Town Marshal Lea.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Kentwood Police Department

Location Kentwood, LA

Platform Identity kpd.tangipahoa.la.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 14, 1902

Age 47

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Rifle; .38 caliber

Offender Acquitted

Town Marshal William Lattimore Lea 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 LA, 364 of 595 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.2% of this state's fallen. That is 7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Kentwood Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Kentwood Police Department

of 2 officers

100% Felonious

LA — Statewide

364

of 595 officers

61.2% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Lattimore Lea's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,623 (54.2%)

Accident

10,088 (31%)

Illness

2,974 (9.1%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

260 (0.8%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

vehicular

1 (0%)

How William Lattimore Lea Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Acquitted

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Lattimore Lea is highlighted in Oct.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,517

May

1,505

Jun

1,443

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,553

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Lattimore Lea was killed by rifle; .38 caliber.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from Kentwood Police Department are honored on badge.nw.