Charles Alton Edward Leonard

Virginia State Convict Road Force — Richmond, VA

Felonious

End of Watch September 22, 1932

Age 21

The Vigil Panel 65 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 8

Incident

Guard Charles Leonard succumbed to head injuries sustained one week earlier when he was assaulted during an escape attempt at Convict Road Camp #6 in Scott County, Virginia.

Three inmates in the camp attacked Guard Leonard and the camp foreman, striking both over the head with a pipe. One of three inmates was shot in the leg by a Washington County deputy near Abingdon, Virginia, and recaptured. The remaining two inmates were able to escape.

Guard Leonard was taken to a hospital in Kingsport, Tennessee, where he succumbed to his head injuries on September 22, 1932.

One of the escapees was recaptured in 1935, convicted of Guard Leonard's murder, and sentenced to death. He was executed on July 24, 1936.

Charles, On today, the 90th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of the state of Virginia. There is no tougher job in Law Enforcement then that of a Corrections Officer.

R.I.P. USBP

Anonymous United States Border Patrol September 22nd, 2022

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Permanent identifier: BO-US-VA-474F9C94
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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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Guard Leonard served with the Virginia State Convict Road Force.
Thank you for your service to the Richmond community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Guard Leonard.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Virginia State Convict Road Force

Location Richmond, VA

Platform Identity vscrf.richmond.va.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 22, 1932

Age 21

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Assault

Weapon Blunt object; Iron pipe

Offender Executed in 1936

Guard Charles Alton Edward 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 VA, 395 of 654 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Virginia State Convict Road Force, 5 of 9 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 55.6% of this agency's fallen.

Virginia State Convict Road Force

of 9 officers

55.6% Felonious

VA — Statewide

395

of 654 officers

60.4% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious