Roll of Honor
Leonard E. Cross
Incident
Chief of Police Leonard Cross and Police Officer Roy Leon 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 has a long criminal record, mostly involving stolen motorcycles. Since 1978, he had 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 Chief of Police Leonard Cross and Police Officer Roy Leon left the town without any full-time law enforcement officers. Chief Cross had also served in the U.S. Army.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AR-731FC60B- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Chief of Police Cross served with the Cotton Plant Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Cotton Plant community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Leonard E. Cross served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Chief of Police Leonard E. Cross is one of 17,559 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,587 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 13 percentage points above the national rate of 53.9%.
At Cotton Plant 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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Leonard E. Cross's cause is highlighted.
How Leonard E. Cross Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Leonard E. Cross is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Leonard E. Cross was killed by officer's handgun.
Military Service
Leonard E. Cross served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit Leonard E. Cross’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Cotton Plant Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
