Prev
Incident
Lieutenant Thomas Leis died from complications related to carbon monoxide poisoning received on October 4th, 1988, at the Port of Miami.
He suffered the poisoning while assisting with the rescue of several crewmembers from the hold of a ship. Two crewmembers died, and several others became seriously ill. Seven firefighters and one other police officer were also overcome by the fumes but recovered after receiving treatment.
Lieutenant Leis received recognition for his bravery in his efforts to save the crewmembers during the incident.
Lieutenant Leis had served with the Metro-Dade Police Department for 17 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and five daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnhydxcqewgzp10yv14h- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Thomas. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Lieutenant Leis gave the Metro-Dade Police Department 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the Miami community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Leis.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Metro-Dade Police Department has lost 25 officers; 9 of them lost to accidents.
Thomas is one of 314 officers lost to accidents in FL, 31.2% of the 1,006 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1990, 1 officer at Metro-Dade Police Department was lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1990, 3 officers in FL were lost to accidents, the 37th heaviest of 95 years on record. The heaviest was 1981, with 9.
In 1990, 66 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 64th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1990, 87 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 43rd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Thomas was 40. Of the 8 lost to accidents at Metro-Dade Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 23.8 and 29; the middle age was 27.5. Thomas had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 4.6 years.
Thomas was 40. Of the 293 lost to accidents in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 35. Thomas had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Thomas was 40. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Thomas had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 40. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Thomas had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 11.1% of these deaths at Metro-Dade Police Department; December holds the most, 22.2%. Sundays: 22.2%.
April holds 4.5% of these deaths in FL; February holds the most, 10.5%. Sundays: 13.4%.
April holds 7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 14%.
April holds 7% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 36% of all 25 deaths at Metro-Dade Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 31.2% of all 1,006 deaths in FL, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Metro-Dade Police Department has 25 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
-
Edward Emile Fritz, Jr.
Feb 3, 1953
-
Jerome R. Christman
Dec 3, 1960
-
Earl Lee Johnson, Jr.
Feb 3, 1962
-
Carlos S. Stuteville
Aug 22, 1964
-
Paul G. Anderson, Jr.
May 7, 1967
-
Johnny Edward Mitchell
Dec 31, 1971
-
Harrison Crenshaw, Jr.
May 18, 1974
-
Simmons Arrington
May 21, 1974
-
Clark Hamilton Curlette
Apr 1, 1976
-
Frank Kenneth D'Azevedo
Apr 1, 1976
-
Thomas Allen Hodges, Jr.
Apr 1, 1976
-
William Coleman Cook
May 16, 1979
-
William Franklin Askew
Jul 24, 1979
-
Edward Russell Young
Sep 23, 1981
-
Cheryl W. Seiden
Jul 28, 1982
-
Stephen Owen Corbett
May 28, 1983
-
Robert L. Zore
Dec 25, 1983
-
Richard Allen Boles
Nov 28, 1988
-
David Henry Strzalkowski
Nov 28, 1988
-
Jose Teodoro Gonzalez
Mar 28, 1989
-
Joseph Preston Martin
Apr 27, 1990
-
Thomas James Leis
Apr 29, 1990
-
Evelyn Gort
Oct 30, 1993
-
Robert Vargas
Feb 7, 1997
-
Richard P. Wentlandt
Mar 15, 1997
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 19-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
24 officers from Metro-Dade Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
