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Incident
Patrolman Leonard Morris succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained two years earlier while chasing a suspect on Tazewell Avenue. The suspect was able to elude Patrolman Morris by hiding behind trash cans. As Patrolman Morris passed by, the suspect opened fire, striking him in the back. The man was sentenced to ten years in prison.
Survivors
Patrolman Morris was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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- 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 Morris served with the Roanoke City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Roanoke community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Morris.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Roanoke City Police Department has lost 15 officers; 12 of them killed feloniously.
Leonard is one of 393 officers killed feloniously in VA, 60.2% of the 653 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, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1934, 1 officer at Roanoke City Police Department was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 10 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 2.
In 1934, 6 officers in VA were killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 10.
In 1934, 178 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1934, 179 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Leonard was 37. Of the 10 killed feloniously at Roanoke City Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32.8 and 48.8; the middle age was 36.
Leonard was 37. Of the 364 killed feloniously in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38.
Leonard was 37. 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 was 37. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
May holds 8.3% of these deaths at Roanoke City Police Department; July holds the most, 25%. Tuesdays: 8.3%.
May holds 9.2% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 10.4%. Tuesdays: 13%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 80% of all 15 deaths at Roanoke City Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 8.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.2% of all 653 deaths in VA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 14.2% 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
Roanoke City Police Department has 15 officers remembered here, Leonard among them.
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Thomas A. Mabry Jan 8, 1892
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Robert M. Beard
Oct 12, 1906
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Anthony D. Hiner
Aug 21, 1910
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John H. Leverett
Jun 21, 1916
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Paris R. Fields May 28, 1920
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Claude H. Morgan
Jul 2, 1925
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William M. Terry
Jul 3, 1925
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Ambrose M. Smith
Jul 8, 1927
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George Pettit Thomas
Nov 20, 1930
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William R. Carter
Dec 12, 1930
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Leonard Russell Morris
May 15, 1934
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Thomas E. Kittinger
Apr 29, 1961
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Joseph B. Jennings
Jun 28, 1965
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David Wayne Rickman
Apr 12, 1986
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Fred Wayne Robinson
Jan 5, 1992
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 23-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Roanoke City Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
