Police Officer William Edwin DeLeon
Houston Police Department
Texas
End of Watch: Monday, March 29, 1982

Biographical Info
Age: 35
Tour of Duty: 13 years, 5 months
Badge Number: 2280

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Date of Incident: Monday, March 29, 1982
Weapon Used: Automobile; Alcohol involved
Suspect Info: Sentenced to ten years

About 7:15 a.m. on March 29 Solo Officer Winston J. Rawlins was working freeway patrol when he was struck by a truck during a traffic stop and pinned under a vehicle. The vehicle caught fire and Officer Rawlins was burned to death.

At 8:30 p.m. the same day Solo Officer William E. (Ponce) DeLeon was working radar on the Southwest Freeway. His partner Solo Officer J.W. Dunbar was passed by a vehicle exceeding 87 mph and Officer Dunbar radioed to Officer DeLeon to clock the car on radar. Before Officer Dunbar could activate his red lights, the car swerved into Officer DeLeon and his police motorcycle. Officer DeLeon died at the scene. The driver was stopped 3/10ths of a mile from the scene.

The driver was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and failure to stop and render aid and sentenced to nine years in prison.

Officer DeLeon was survived by his wife, two children, two step-children, his parents, a sister and a brother. He was buried in the Field of Honor at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery in Houston.