BL
Bernard Leonard
1933
Bernard F. Leonard.
How He Died
Manner
Homicide
Cause
Gunshot wound
Mechanism
Firearm
What Happened
Deputy Bernard Leonard was shot and killed while he and a posse attempted to arrest a man wanted for kidnapping another officer and for robbery in Oklahoma and Colorado. The posse surrounded a home the suspect was in and ordered everyone out. Several women and children came out, but the suspect refused. As Deputy Leonard rushed towards the door, the suspect opened fire with two .38 caliber revolvers, fatally wounding Deputy Leonard. The rest of the posse opened fire, shooting the suspect seven times. Both the suspect and Deputy Leonard succumbed to their wounds later that evening. Deputy Leonard was a Spanish American War veteran. He had served in several law enforcement capacities in New Mexico for 24 years.
Service Record
Also Served
Chaves County Sheriff's Department
Deputy Sheriff
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpjf4mvznandgx5gnccd
Record added
August 2, 2026
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Last updated
August 2, 2026
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