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Walter William Leonhardt
Incident
Special Deputy Walter Leonhardt was shot and killed after observing a stolen car while off duty. He identified himself as a deputy and began to talk to the driver. A struggle ensued, and Deputy Leonhardt was fatally wounded by the driver. The 25-year-old driver and a 19-year-old accomplice were arrested and charged with murder. The driver was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. His accomplice was sentenced to five years. The driver's sentence was later commuted to 25 years. He was paroled on December 21, 1940.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Special Deputy Sheriff Leonhardt served with the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Portland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Deputy Sheriff Leonhardt.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Multnomah County Sheriff's Office has lost 10 officers; 9 of them killed feloniously.
Walter is one of 115 officers killed feloniously in OR, 58.4% of the 197 remembered there.
Walter is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Walter 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 1931, 1 officer at Multnomah County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 8 years on record. The heaviest was 1993, with 2.
In 1931, 5 officers in OR were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1931, 221 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1931, 222 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Walter was 41. Of the 8 killed feloniously at Multnomah County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 36.8 and 49; the middle age was 41.
Walter was 41. Of the 97 killed feloniously in OR whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 51; the middle age was 43.
Walter was 41. 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.
Walter was 41. 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 22.2% of these deaths at Multnomah County Sheriff's Office; November holds the most, 33.3%. Mondays: 11.1%.
September holds 8.7% of these deaths in OR; November holds the most, 12.2%. Mondays: 13%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 90% of all 10 deaths at Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58.4% of all 197 deaths in OR, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 30.4% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Multnomah County Sheriff's Office has 10 officers remembered here, Walter among them.
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Robert Phillips
Nov 21, 1917
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Frank Walter Twombley
Nov 19, 1918
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Ed Diedrich May 24, 1924
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Walter William Leonhardt
Sep 28, 1931
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Ernest C. Loll
Sep 29, 1935
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Albert William Bowe
Nov 15, 1945
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Mark Alan Whitehead
Feb 26, 1993
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Scott E. Collins
Feb 26, 1993
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Robert Ray Anderson
Dec 1, 1994
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Irving Lawrence Burkett
Aug 21, 2003
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 34-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Multnomah County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
