Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Theodore Leslie was shot and killed while investigating the theft of a stolen gun.
He had tracked the thief to a boxcar in the Kansas City Southern Railroad yards. When Patrolman Leslie ordered the suspect out of the boxcar he opened fire, killing Patrolman Leslie.
The suspect was later arrested but before he could face trial an angry mob stormed the jail and lynched him.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-E43D6BF3- 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 Leslie served with the Joplin Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Joplin community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Leslie.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Theodore C. Leslie 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 MO, 516 of 813 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.5% of this state's fallen. That is 9.3 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Joplin Police Department, 17 of 21 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 81% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Theodore C. Leslie's cause is highlighted.
How Theodore C. Leslie Compares
Offender Outcome
Lynched by an angry mob
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Theodore C. Leslie is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Theodore C. Leslie was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
20 officers from Joplin Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
