Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Leon, you are not forgotten. Thank you for your sacrifice. You are still missed.

Patrolman Kenneth Collins
South Amherst Police Department

June 26, 2023

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Police Officer Wayne A. Leon of the Cleveland Division of Police, Ohio and the additional 77 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

June 25, 2023

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Police Officer Wayne A. Leon of the Cleveland Division of Police, Ohio and the additional 77 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

June 25, 2022

May God and St. Michael watch over you in Heaven, Brother.

Kenneth Collins

June 25, 2021

Jesus Christ, during His earthly ministry, proclaimed, “The greatest love you can show is to give your life for your friends.” [John 15:13 GW]

Chaplain Steven R. Closs, D.Div, MSBS, NCCA
Ordained/Licensed Independent Christian Clergy
The Peacemakers Prayer Ministry
Merrimack, NH 03054

Captain Steven R. Closs (Ret.)
Nashua NH Police Department

March 5, 2021

By Grace Leon
6/25/20
It was 20 years ago that I kissed you goodbye for the last time as you headed off to work. A few hours later a got the knock on the door that changed everything. The moment I opened that door life as we knew it came to an end. Our children were so little. Justin was 5, Gabrielle was 4 and Nicholas was 2. I didn’t know how I was going to raise our children and get through life without you! I focused on the fulfilling the hopes and dreams we had talked about for our children. The children were raised in the home we planned on raising them in. They have great friends and great experiences from living in West Park. The children had a Catholic education. The boys went to St Ignatius, the school you so proudly attended. Gabrielle went to St Joseph Academy. You loved the beautiful grounds of that school and would comment on it when we passed by. They were always busy involved in sports and activities. The children have grown into amazing adults. There is so much of you in them and it makes me smile every day. You would be so proud of them! All three of them have graduated college. Justin loves that he wears your badge number for the Cleveland Fire Department. I’m told he’s a great firefighter. Gabrielle just received her Master’s degree in social work and passed her MSW licensure exam. She will be a school counselor beginning in August. Nicholas just received his Accounting degree from JCU. We made some amazing kids Wayne!!! Each of them are following in your footsteps in the service of others in their own way. We love and miss you so much, Wayne!! You are still so much a part of us. It’s been tough living this life without you. I will continue to pray to you and ask God for guidance as we navigate life without you. You are forever just a thought away.

Submitted by Chief (Ret.) Ron McBride

June 25, 2020

Officer Leon, you and your family are remembered today on this 20th anniversary of your end of watch. I used to see you on patrol when I volunteered in that area, and was concerned for you riding alone. I was heartbroken when my fears were realized. I've thought of your family often, and thought about how proud you'd be that your son became a firefighter in these recent years. Thank you for your service and sacrifice. Your family continues to be in my prayers.

Laura Bocian
Citizen

June 25, 2020

Please know that on this 20th "anniversary" of your untimely departure your memory, service and sacrifice will never be forgotten. Rest in peace always.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

June 25, 2020

By Anna Hopkins | Fox News Jan. 12, 2019

Cleveland firefighter issued same badge number as his father, who was killed in the line of duty

Justin Leon was one of 19 cadets from the 34th Fire Training Academy Class who took the oath of office at in Cleveland, Ohio, on Friday.

His father, Wayne Leon, an officer with the Cleveland Police Department, was shot and killed in 2000 when Justin was just five years old.

Nineteen years later, Justin paid homage to his dad, being issued the same badge number his father wore, 1338, in a tear-jerking ceremony.

Justin's mother, Grace, stood by his side and was the one to actually pin his new badge bearing the same number as her late husband. Also present was Lt. Mike Norman, who worked alongside Justin's father and was one of the first responding officers when Wayne Leon was shot on June 25, 2000.

“To be 19 years later and to have his son come join us on the Cleveland fire department, his family being so dedicated to the citizens and visitors of Cleveland that they continued that service, I think it's really important, it says a lot about Justin and his family," Norman said.

Although Justin doesn't remember much about his father, he was so moved by his commitment to protecting the citizens of Cleveland that he decided to pursue the same path as he got older. "I've always wanted to do something to help people and I've wanted to do something with safety forces," Justin told FOX 8 News.

About his father, Justin said, "I've always been told that he was very generous and very helpful and he was always just wanting to do the right thing and that he was always the guy to call when someone needed help."

As he enters the line of duty, the significance of wearing his father's badge number isn't lost on Justin.

"It's almost just like the legacy kind of lives on in a way," he said.

Police Officer - Retired
NYPD

January 12, 2019

God Bless Ofc Leon's son who recently became a firefighter.

Sgt Pete Blanco III retired
Gary Police Dept, Gary, IN

January 12, 2019

Peace to Grace and her children. She had turned her tragedy into helping others. God Bless this family.

Ptrlmn Dwayne Smith & Linda Smith
CPD- Retired

June 27, 2018

I will never forget that day! He is my hero...

CPD Detective Jim Cudo #1705

June 25, 2018

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Westerville, Ohio Division of Police, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Police Officer Wayne A. Leon of the Cleveland Police Department, Ohio and the additional 74 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Chief Joe Morbitzer
Westerville, Ohio Division of Police

June 25, 2018

17 years ago, I remember the terrible news and watching with the rest of Cleveland...such a tragedy to take a vibrant life like Wayne Leon. And even then, I was so impressed and in awe of his widow, Grace. I always saw and read the news, heard stories and follow ups. But like so many, we go back to our busy lives and time goes by. I work in a retail setting and recently have been the cashier 'ringing out' Grace Leon. I recognized the name immediately but never mentioned it. Even without thinking of her history, I was again impressed. What an exceptional, lovely person. Her energy, enthusiasm, positive outlook, kindness is so welcome and engaging. I can't imagine the pain and heartache she's gone through but her smile and kindness wears like a tribute to life's goodness. Thank you, Wayne Leon, and thank you to all the law enforcement personnel , and thank you to wives and families of patrolmen in Cleveland that keep us safe every day. We appreciate all that you do. Thoughts and prayers to the Leon Family... We may get sidetracked with life events but we have never forgotten you or your sacrifice.

Cleveland Citizen

May 11, 2017

CPD Police Officer Wayne Leon is the only one that deserved a second chance.

Citizen Patrick Skiver

August 3, 2016

I pray today for blood and blue that things go well in court today because we care about you. Never forgotten

Tom D.

August 2, 2016

I miss uour smile and laugh. I miss uou

Kim
Aunt

June 21, 2016

Forever....Missing you so much!!

Grace
Wife

May 12, 2016

Thinking of you Wayne ... You are always remembered with so much love and respect by is all. Rest easy Hero, patrol God's golden roads and know that we pray we will see again one day.

Terry May
Cleveland

April 3, 2016

As Aux Officer #54 I worked with Jim Simone & Wayne Leon on Bob Hope Bridge the night before getting drunk drivers in both directions. 16 years is long enough for this creep to live.

Aux Officer #54 retired

January 10, 2016

Wayne, my God son. I wont forget you ever. I saw Grace recently and she was smiling. I put her in my will. Hope to see you.
Uncle Bob

Sgt.
Hialeah Police Department

August 5, 2015

Every day for 15 years we have thought of you, grieved losing you and continued to love you. Losing you is not something any of us will ever forget. In your short 32 years you touched so many people, your family, your friends, your community. God only knows what more you would have accomplished had you not been taken from us, but I would be willing to bet that they would have been great accomplishments and there would have been many. We miss you Wayne, we love you and we miss you...we always will.

Terry May

June 25, 2015

Thinking of the Leon Family today, your grief is shared by those in the LEO family.

Ptl. Mike Cooper (Retired)
Parma PD

June 25, 2015

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
GOD Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

June 25, 2015

IN HONORE CASORUM
Our promise; Always honored, never forgotten.

Sgt. T. J. Jones
Greater Cleveland Transit Police Department, Ohio

June 25, 2015