Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Leslie Coffelt was shot and killed when two Puerto Rican nationalists attempted to shoot their way into Blair House, the temporary residence of President Harry S. Truman, in Washington, DC. One of the suspects was shot and killed by Officer Coffelt, and the other was caught and sentenced to prison. The suspect who was arrested was pardoned in 1979 after serving 29 years and was deported to Puerto Rico, where he died in 1994. Officer Coffelt was a WWII veteran and had served with the White House Police Force for 15 years. He had previously served with the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Department from 1929 to 1936 and from 1941 to 1942. He is survived by his wife and daughter. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- 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 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.
Officer Coffelt gave the White House Police Force 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Washington 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
Leslie William Coffelt served in the Army before joining law enforcement.
Officer Leslie William Coffelt 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 DC, 754 of 1,419 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.1% of this state's fallen. That is 1.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Leslie William Coffelt's cause is highlighted.
How Leslie William Coffelt Compares
Offender Outcome
One killed; One Apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Leslie William Coffelt is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Leslie William Coffelt was killed by handgun; 9 mm.