New York City Police Department, New York
End of Watch: Sunday, February 16, 1941
Age: 32
Tour of Duty: 10 years
Badge Number: 2196
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: February 16, 1941
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Not available
Patrolman Leon Fox was shot and killed while escorting a store manager to the bank to deposit the daily receipts.
Patrolman Fox was assigned to escort the manager of Loew’s Coney Island Movie Theatre to the bank with the daily receipts. As Patrolman Fox and the manager approached the bank entrance, they were approached by three men. One of the men grabbed the suitcase from the manager, and all three fled on foot. Patrolman Fox pursued the suspect but was shot and killed by the suspect. Before he died, Patrolman Fox emptied his gun at the suspect as they fled.
All three suspects were later apprehended and convicted of murder. They were all sentenced to death. The verdict was then overturned by the United States Supreme Court. Two suspects were freed, and the third was retired. He was acquitted of all charges in that trial.
Patrolman Fox had served with the New York City Police Department for ten years and was assigned to the 60th Precinct. He was survived by his wife and son.
In July 2019, the corner of West 12th Street and Surf Avenue, where he was shot, was renamed Police Officer Leon Fox Way.