Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Earl K. Leonard was shot and killed during a traffic stop. He had stopped a traffic violator and was in the process of an arrest when a friend of the offender approached and shot him at the intersection of Lotus Avenue and Madison Street. The 21-year-old suspect was arrested, convicted of first-degree murder, and sentenced to life in prison. On September 15th, 1939, during an escape attempt he and two other lifers slipped drugs into the coffee of 11 guards leaving two in critical condition. On September 29th, 1952, he was released from prison after it was determined the trial judge gave an instruction to the jury that was ruled unconstitutional in 1935.
Survivors
Patrolman Leonard was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-00B98859- 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.
Patrolman Leonard served with the Chicago Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Leonard.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Earl K. Leonard 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 IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 9.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Chicago Police Department, 396 of 571 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Earl K. Leonard's cause is highlighted.
How Earl K. Leonard Compares
Offender Outcome
Released in 1952
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Earl K. Leonard is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Earl K. Leonard was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
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