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Incident
Patrolman Leonard Miller was shot and killed after stopping a car that had sped past him twice. He was shot twice in the chest as he approached the vehicle. The two suspects, both 21, were apprehended. It was soon determined the two had been on what was labeled a "kill for thrill" spree for the past eight days. The bullet-riddled bodies of a 26-year-old single mother and two men, 32 and 49, had been found in different locations in and near Apollo Borough. A few days earlier, as they aimed to shoot a 35-year-old female employee in a convenience store, the attempt was foiled by two men who entered the store. Both were convicted of four counts of murder and sentenced to death. Both had their convictions overturned in 1991 and 1996. Both were retried and again sentenced to death. Their appeals for new trials were denied in 2011 and 2012. One of the subjects died in prison on September 3, 2017. In 2021 the other was still on death row. He is Pennsylvania's longest-serving death row inmate. Patrolman Miller's murder occurred on his third day as a full-time officer with the Apollo Police Department. He had previously served as a part-time officer for the Apollo Police Department and Vandergrift Police Departments for 2.5 years. He was survived by his parents. He is buried in the Riverview Cemetery, Apollo, Pennsylvania. In 2005 the Apollo Bridge was renamed the Leonard C. Miller Bridge.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Miller gave the Apollo Borough Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Apollo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Miller.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Leonard is the only officer of Apollo Borough Police Department remembered here.
Leonard is one of 598 officers killed feloniously in PA, 47.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Leonard is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Leonard is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1980, 9 officers in PA were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 152 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 16.
In 1980, 127 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1980, 141 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Leonard was 21. Of the 585 killed feloniously in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Leonard had served 2.5 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Leonard was 21. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Leonard had served 2.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Leonard was 21. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Leonard had served 2.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 6.9% of these deaths in PA; September holds the most, 10.5%. Thursdays: 13.7%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Apollo Borough Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 47.4% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 27.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 35-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Apollo Borough Police Department are honored on badge.nw.