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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.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 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
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Virginia State Convict Road Force has lost 9 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Charles is one of 393 officers killed feloniously in VA, 60.2% of the 653 remembered there.
Charles is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Charles is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1932, 1 officer at Virginia State Convict Road Force was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 4 years on record. The heaviest was 1912, with 2.
In 1932, 6 officers in VA were killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 10.
In 1932, 210 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1932, 210 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Charles was 21. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Virginia State Convict Road Force whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 35; the middle age was 30.
Charles was 21. Of the 364 killed feloniously in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38.
Charles 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.
Charles was 21. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
September holds 20% of these deaths at Virginia State Convict Road Force; December holds the most, 20%. Thursdays: 20%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 10.4%. Thursdays: 16.5%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 55.6% of all 9 deaths at Virginia State Convict Road Force, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object; iron pipe, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.2% of all 653 deaths in VA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object; iron pipe, in 0.3% 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 blunt object; iron pipe, in 0.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object; iron pipe, in 0.1% of these deaths.
His people
Virginia State Convict Road Force has 9 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 63-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Virginia State Convict Road Force are honored on badge.nw.
