Prev
Incident
Officer Leslie Ward was shot and killed after stopping a man in a hit-and-run accident.
Officer Ward observed the accident at an intersection and shouted for the suspect to stop. After a short chase, the suspect stopped and opened fire on Officer Ward and a state trooper. Officer Ward was killed and the trooper was seriously wounded. The trooper managed to return fire, killing the 33-year-old suspect.
Officer Ward was survived by his wife and nine children.
Survivors
Officer Ward was survived by his wife and nine children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpw13p86br4mnn755anx- 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 J.. 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.
Patrol Officer Ward served with the Morehead Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Morehead community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrol Officer Ward.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
J. is the only officer of Morehead Police Department remembered here.
J. is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
J. is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
J. 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 1942, 9 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 23rd heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1942, 82 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 79th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1942, 120 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 49th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
J. was 46. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41.
J. was 46. 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.
J. was 46. 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 8.1% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Saturdays: 19%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Morehead Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 76.8% of all 984 deaths in KY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 26.6% 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; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 55-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Morehead Police Department are honored on badge.nw.