Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Dear wayne,
I had the chance to meet your awesome wife today, what a sweet person. Your wife is like an angel to all she meets, helps and comes in contact with. I can see why you choose her to be your wife and the mother of your children.
To you Grace I'm feel so blessed to have met you today. Words can't say enough as to how much respect I have for you and what you do. God Bless you, your children and your family. Keep on fighting, and I'll pray with you that all the volience stops.
Hearts, and Thoughts, Jennifer
Hearts and Thoughts, Jennifer

JENNIFER

August 14, 2008

8 years ago today you were taken from us. I remember the day like it was yesterday. It has been such an honor seeing your kids grow up and working with Grace in preserving your memory. Enjoy patrolling heaven's streets, we'll see you soon. God Bless You.

T. Ross
Cleveland Police

June 25, 2008

Wayne,
Happy Fathers Day...I'm sure on this day, as with every other day...you are in the thoughts and hearts of your family. Grace does such great work with Ohio COPS....helping others...and I'm sure you are so proud of her. Keep looking out for us brother...we need all the help we can get.

Deputy John Jerman
Cuyahoga County Sheriff

June 15, 2008

Wayne,

I remember hearing the news of your tragic and unfair death. I didn't know you personally but tragedy brought your wife to me, I am a surviving child of a slain police officer. I am now a grown women with three of my own children. I will always wonder what could have been, as will your children but, my faith that you are watching and guiding your children from up above brings me peace. Grace is 100% committed to making sure you are in your children's lives in her own special way. she is strong and misses you so very much. I think of you and your family as we enter the month of June. I see your son running down my street with the dog and all the neighborhood kids playing football in your yard, it puts a warm feeling in my heart. I am watching your children grow and ever so fast. your wife and kids lives should not have been altered like this. but I know the goodness that grace is instilling in your children will help them grow up to be proud of who they are, even with all they have had to endure.

June 6, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

December 31, 2007

Wayne,
You remain in our hearts today and always. I was watching video of you from when you were in High School and and on the CPD. You were always the same person, loving and caring ro all that you came into contact with. It has been 7 years since you were taken and to this day your face and memory of you remains imbedded in so many hearts. You made such an impact on all that met you and knew you. What a terrible loss for this world.
You remain our Hero Wayne....You will always be our hero.

Terry

December 7, 2007

Wayne, Just wanted to let you know brother that I meet your wife at a D.A.R.E Training in Westlake,Oh, it's nice to see her still involved with police work and the public. You would be really proud of her. Keep watching over us in Blue my Borther. God bless

OFFICER BOB SWOPE #5609
OLMSTED FALLS POLICE DEPT.OHIO

August 15, 2007

Officer Wayne A Leon,
I spent the last week at C.O.P.S. kids camp and had the priviledge of mentoring your beautifual daughter Gabby! You must be one very proud daddy of who your daughter has become. She is a sweet gentle child that misses her daddy every day, but is doing well. The ultimate sacrifice that you made will be remembered always!

God Bless you and your family,
Officer Stephanie Thomas

Officer Stephanie Thomas
Green Bay PD

August 5, 2007

Today the community mourns as another Police Officer has made the ultimate sacrifice. I am reminded of the day when you were taken from us. I still think of you often and hold your family in my prayers. I want you to know that you are not forgotten, nor will you ever be. God Bless You.

Det. C.J. Frey
Brooklyn PD

May 31, 2007

Wow my Brother, I can't believe it has been seven years since I was at your service. I just want to let you know that you and your family are in my prayers. God Bless you.

OFFICER BOB SWOPE #5609
OLMSTED FALLS POLICE DEPT.OHIO

April 29, 2007

You Are Still Thought Of and Honored By Many.
Time Will Never Replace In Our Minds and Hearts What You Gave So Others Could Be Safe.

Ohio
Summit County

April 25, 2007

Wayne, while on vacation in Florida I met a friend of yours (Ed). It has been almost seven years since your passing and he is still talking about you. He spoke very highly and with great pride about you. It seems that you have touched the lives of many people in such a positive way. Though I have never met you we all share a common bond. We will continue to carry on and we will remember the sacrifice that you and others before you have made. May God bless your family and watch over them.

Detective Thomas Tully
Southampton Town Police, Long Island, N.Y.

April 13, 2007

I miss you bro, god I could only dream to imagine what things would be like if u were around. To young much much to young.

Duane Leon
brother

April 13, 2007

Wayne,
Not a single day goes by that we don't think about you. We miss you as much today as always. You will be forever in our hearts. We carry you with us always.
Love, Terry

Terry

March 29, 2007

You were more like my brother than my cousin. We had a lot of fun growing up together and I still smile when I remember all the good times. I am having trouble typing a sentence here without erasing it, words can't really describe my feelings. You are and will always be my hero.

Danny Gorman
Cousin

January 22, 2007

Hey Bro I miss you man. God six years already, its unbelieveable it seems like it was just the other day you were takin from us. I guess time just stops when something happens like that. Oh let me just tell you though Grace and the kids have nothing but a world of love and support around them to this day, and it is comforting knowing that is never going to change. Words really could never describe how much I miss you. You know I often wondered why such a kind and loving person like you was taken from us. Well the only thing I could think of is that the Lord must have needed you up there as much as we needed you down here. Well untill we meet again Brother. God bless and I love you.

Duane Leon
Brother

December 6, 2006

I will never forget june 25, 2000 when I came into work and was told what had happen to you. I was a newer officer and this was the first time any officer had been killed in the line of duty while I was on the job. I remember the pain,anger, and sorrow I felt. I want you to know you will never be forgotten and I think about you all the time. Your wonderful wife is a rock and even till this day helps us and family through line of duty deaths. You, your wife, your kids, and family are my heroes. Rest in Peace brother

cpd577
cpd

November 22, 2006

Leon,
I went a Police Rally a couple of week ago. Grace spoke and it was good to see her so involved and helping other
families, who have lost loved one in the line of duty.. She has done alot and without her, where would we be. She is a remarkable women and you would be proud of her...
God Bless You Both!!!!!!!!!

Michelle

October 12, 2006

In loving memory of Officer Wayne Leon--fallen but NEVER forgotten.

Joanie
Mother, daughter, sister, and granddau. of LEO's

October 3, 2006

Officer Leon,
I have never forgotten you or what you gave for the rest of us here. I know that you now patrol the streets of gold with another Cleveland Officer, Officer Schroeder.
God Bless

September 2, 2006

Office Leon, I never met you, but as we cope with the loss of another fine Cleveland Police Officer, I am reminded of our loss of you. I heard your wife on the radio this morning and I admire her strength and commitment to your legacy. May you watch over her and your family always. God bless.

September 1, 2006

Words can not express how grateful all of us are to you for your service and dedication. God bless your family, and all of the officers who put their lives on the line every day. I know you are watching over them. We will never forget you.

Dispatcher Bridget
Lakewood Police Department

August 9, 2006

All gave some,
Some gave all.

May God keep and cradle you and your loved ones in the palm of His hand.

Claudia Van Tyne, Police Dispatcher
University Circle Police

July 12, 2006

On June 25th 2000 in the late afternoom my wife, Melissa, and I were about to leave the house to go see a movie. My phone rang and it was the desk man calling asking me if I heard the news. He told me that Dean's brother Wayne was shot in the face at work and that he was at Metro Hospital in critical condition. Dean works with me and I consider him one of my best friends. My wife looked at me and asked me if I wanted to go to the hospital instead. I told her, "Yes, I need to give Dean a hug." I didn't think words could console anyone in that situation. I just wanted Dean and his family to know I was by their side. I only know you through your brothers and your wife. I wish I could have known you like they did. You'll never be forgotten.

Ptl Kevin Stasiak
Parma police

June 28, 2006

Officer Leon,
...Still remembered, Always in our hearts..


OHIO
summit county

June 13, 2006