Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Wayne Leon was shot and killed during a routine traffic stop at East 40th Street and Community College.
When Officer Leon exited his vehicle, the subject approached and shot Officer Leon in the face. Officer Leon was transported to a local hospital, where he passed away.
The 29-year-old suspect escaped after being involved in a chase with other officers but was arrested later in the day. The man was on parole from a 10-year sentence for a 1995 attempted robbery conviction. He was found guilty of the aggravated murder of a police officer in November 2000 and sentenced to death. His execution is scheduled for 2028.
A section of Lorain Avenue located in front of St. Ignatius High School was renamed the Officer Wayne Leon Memorial Highway.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-553B1619- 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.
Police Officer Leon gave the Cleveland Division of Police 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cleveland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Leon.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Wayne A. Leon 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 OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 3.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Cleveland Division of Police, 83 of 119 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Wayne A. Leon's cause is highlighted.
How Wayne A. Leon Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Wayne A. Leon is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
118 officers from Cleveland Division of Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
