Cotton Plant Police Department, Arkansas
End of Watch: Friday, July 13, 1984
Age: 24
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: July 13, 1984
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Officer Roy Leon and Chief of Police Leonard Cross were shot and killed after stopping a 16-year-old juvenile on a stolen motorcycle.
During the ensuing struggle, the suspect gained control of Chief Cross' weapon and shot both officers. The juvenile offender was captured six hours later.
The juvenile had a long criminal record, mostly involving stolen motorcycles. Since 1978, he has served three terms in juvenile facilities. On February 14, 1985, he was convicted of two counts of capital murder and sentenced to life without parole. As of December 13, 2022, he was in prison. He has committed 28 major disciplinary violations.
The killing of Police Officer Roy Leon and Chief of Police Leonard Cross left the town without any full-time law enforcement officers.