Officer Down Memorial Page

Officer Leonard,

Rest in peace my brother in blue.

Detective Dave Howell
Plano,Texas Police Dept-Auto Theft
May 28, 2009

I spoke with Officer Leonard's family at this years Police officer Memorial Day in Dallas. His niece was in attendence as well as other family members.
I found that Officer Leonard was engaged to an "Italian" girl according to the niece at the time of his death.He also was about to take the bar exam as well.The family lived on California Street in Dallas in a house that is still there.
Unfortunantly,Officer Dieken's family,who was the second officer to be killed on number 13,the "widow maker" Harley,were not in attendence this year at the memorial.

Sr Cpl W.H. Croom,II
Dallas Police Department Motorcycles
May 21, 2006

Officer Leonard was the first of two DPD officers killed on the infamous,number"13",Harley-Davidson.
Officer Leonard was chasing a speeder on Denley Drive in the Oak Cliff section of Dallas when a elderly man sideswiped the officers motorcycle and as a result,threw the officer to the pavement where his head hit the curb. Officer Leonard died of his injuries.
The city then rebuilt the motorcycle and put it back in service with number "21" displayed on the "pedestrian cutter"on the front fender.
This motorcycle had been involved in several accidents before Leonard's and was considered unlucky by many DPD officers who refused to ride it.Many felt it was the number "13". There is no number "13" motorcycle in DPD's fleet today.
The motorcycle being considered unlucky by officers is confirmed by a Dallas Morning News article that announced the death of the young officer the next day.
See Officer Dieken's memorial for more information on these two officers deaths while riding number "13".
Officer Leonard and Dieken both lived in East Dallas..within a mile of each other.

W.H.Croom,II
Dallas Police Department
January 24, 2006

Today, 70 years after the death of Officer Ernest E. Leonard I would like to say, "Well done." From one old motor jockey to another, he will always be remembered as a true hero. God bless the family of this fine officer.

Patrolman Doug Hutchison
Irving Police Department, Texas, retired.
May 28, 2005

Rest in peace.

Dep. Eric Thoresen
Marion County Sheriffs Office
February 29, 2004