Police Officer Wayne A. Leon

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