Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Thank you for making the ultimate sacrifice. Please watch over us as we continue and uphold the law you worked so hard to enforce! You will never be forgotten, especially during this Peace Officer's Memorial Week.

To your wife and family; If you are ever in need please call upon any Cleveland Police Officer as have been charged by Wayne to care for his family in his place!

Officer Margery Gerbec #2490
Cleveland Police Department

May 19, 2006

Wayne,
I still think about you all the time. I miss your smile. I miss your sense of humor. I still laugh to myself when I think of the first few times we worked together, fresh off probation and not a clue what we were doing. We always managed to figure it out and I can remember us laughing about it like it was yesterday. I remember your incredible devotion to Grace and the kids and it makes me strive to be a better person. I often walk by the place we last spoke in front of the Justice Center and it always makes me smile remembering the conversation we had. I miss you buddy and I will NEVER forget you. Rest in peace...you deserve it.

Fish
Friend and Co-Worker

April 28, 2006

I went through the Academy in 2005, and the hardest thing I ever watched was the video of Wayne Leon’s death. The sounds of bagpipes still bring tears to my eye, and it was the first Police Officer death ceremony that I have ever saw. I remember, when I was younger going out on the street to stand for the Casket precession, but I was never touched in the heart so much until, I seen the video. It was the hardest thing I ever seen in my life. I am 21 years old, and if there are that many people are at my ceremony, when I die I will be a proud man. I hope that no police officer ever dies in the line of duty, but if it happens I will always remember you, especially you Wayne Leon.

PTL. SMITH #18
RTAPD

March 7, 2006

Wayne,

I will never forget the day I attended your funeral, yours was the first funeral I attended for a brother lost in the line of duty. I painfully know that it will not be the last. Thank you for your sacrifice and please continue to watch over the rest of your brothers down here. God Bless You and You’re Family.

Dan Crisan #263
Cleveland Police Department

Patrolman Dan F. Crisan
Cleveland Police Department

March 3, 2006

MERRY CHRISTMAS....

OFFICER JIM GILBERT
COLUMBUS PD

December 24, 2005

I was living in Cleveland the day your life was taken and I remeber hearing the news. Officer Leon, You will always be a Brother in Blue and you will not be forgotten.

Officer MP Bradley
Houston Police Department

December 8, 2005

Officer Leon, I remember that day, watching the T.V. and hearing the breaking news that a Cleveland Officer had been shot. My heart fell, and although I never met you, I prayed that you would be O.K.. Then the terrible news was released to the public that you were gone. My heart along with many,many others from the Cleveland area was broken. It has been over 5 years now,but I will never forget that day. I watched your funeral along with our children.I wanted them to know what a hero really was.YOU Officer Leon ARE a TRUE HERO. I feel that word is tossed around too much these days to people who do NOT deserve it. I do hope that is brings some comfort to your family and fellow officer's to know that you haven't been forgotten. We appreciate, I wish there was a better word, what you gave so that others would be able to live in a safer community. God Bless

OHIO
Summit County
11/10/2005

November 10, 2005

Officer Leon, I remember the news stories like they were yesterday. I was'nt an officer at the time. I was working at a fitting company and when I started the academy and a co-worker heard about it and said "have you ever heard of Wayne Leon? He used to work here and he ran this machine before he went to the academy". They spoke highly of you. I'll never forget that moment. Please know you will never be forgotten.

Ptl. Tim Ellis
Sagamore Hills Police Department

October 24, 2005

Rest in peace brother.

Police Officer
Denver Police Department

August 23, 2005

Its sad u were killed because some guy didn't want to pay didn't want to do some time in jail. You will not be forgotten.

Mike

July 6, 2005

Wayne,
It has been a while since I last wrote here, yet I continue to think of you throughout each and every day. This week...this week is Police Memorial week in Cleveland and Officers from all over the world will gather in Cleveland to pay their respects to you and so many other heroes who gave their lives in the line of duty. This week is emotional, one of pride and pain. I just want you to know that Grace and the Kids will see for the first time your video while working. A copy is being made while I type this. Grace, Justin, Gabrielle and Nicholas...I know that they always knew and believed, but now they can "see" through the video, just how great an Officer you were, and hear in your voice just how much you loved being a father and a husband.
God Bless you Wayne. You truly are Loved and Missed every minute of every day.
Love,
Terry

Terry

May 16, 2005

Here on earth, we have lost a brother, but our Lord in heaven has gained a Soldier, a Hero!

I lived in Cleveland in the 80's and worked with the Ohio Corrections Service.

All I can say about you Cleveland Cops, is that your awsome crime fighters!

God bless your loved ones.

PO Hector L Guzman 2170
US Dept. of Veterans Affairs Police
San Juan, Puerto Rico USA

PO Hector L Guzman
DVA Police San Juan

March 15, 2005

God bless you and your family at your tragic loss. You are a true hero to us all and you will never be forgotten.

DE
St. Louis City Police

January 30, 2005

Wayne,

I have come to know you through your family and friends, especially Grace. She is a strong woman, you would be so proud of her. She has become a pillar for other widows and famies that have lost a law enforcement officer.

We lost a brother here in Columbus and Grace came and offered her support. It was good to see her. Her kind words gave stregthn to Carrie and I.

Bryan was a good man just like you. The words that your friends and family shared about you have described him. I have cried alot recently and asked God why does He take our best ones. I don't have the answers. I have felt and seen the pain that wreckless fools have caused and I just don't understand. However, through all the tragedy, I have reflected within myself and have decided that I will live my life the way you and Bryan did. Always giving my best. I hope when people see me they see you and Bryan in me.

I think about you alot and pray for you and your family. I promise you brother, I will always be here for Grace, your children, and your family.

Ty

Ty Hollis
Columbus Division of Police

January 20, 2005

10/27/04

You are a tru hero. Rest in peace sir.

Captain Robert W. Cannon; Retired
Vermilion County Illinois Sheriff's Dept.

October 27, 2004

I remember the day you were taken from our community, like it was yesterday. It was amazing to see how a neighborhood came together and grieved as one. The memorial placed on Rocky River Drive is one that is special to my children and wife, in honor of our fallen. May God Bless You and Your Family, I know you are watching them. Please keep us safe. A fellow alumni and Officer!

Patrolman
Avon

May 21, 2004

I read your story recently in the Cleveland magazine and I was moved by what kind of person you were and the love you and your family shared. I wish I have had the chance to meet you and serve with a officer like you. I thankyou for the sacrifice that you made to make this a better and safer world for others. Rest easy friend and let us carry on your work. May god take care of your family and watch over them

A Fellow officer-Ptl.
Hiram police Deparment

April 13, 2004

Thank you for your courage and dedication brother Wayne, you are a true hero and will never be forgotten.

Son of G. Truman Wortham EOW 7/15/73

Assistant Chief Carl Wortham
Sand Springs Police Dept. Okla

February 26, 2004

Officer Leon,

I read the story of your untimely passing and it really got to me. I did not know you but from the reflections left by others, I can tell you were a fantastic person. I wanted to say "Thank You" for your sacrifice and all you gave up to help make this planet a better place for the rest of us. You are a true hero in every since of the word. I can only hope that when my time comes, I will have the pleasure and honor of meeting you in heavens above. Thank you Officer Leon and may God bless your family.

Detective T. Henshaw
Bell Gardens Police Department, CA.

February 10, 2004

I can still remember your funeral. I did not know you but, attended your funeral with another member of my department after we had both worked a double. It was the first one i have ever attended and has always stuck with me. I still remember driving down the road and seeing the community lining the streets, and the officers from all over. I was easy to see how much you were loved. My thoughts are still with you and your family. I graduate the academy in 2 months and you helped me realize how truly real this job is,and take my training alot more seriously. I wish this never would have happened to you but, I cant change things. Just know that you have given people that never even knew you strength and probabally alot more than you will ever even know.I know i will have angels watching over me, and you are being well taken care of. Thank you for the job you did. God bless your family.

Jill dispatcher/reserve officer
ohio, near youngstown

January 24, 2004

Rest in Peace & thank-you for all your hard work as a Peace officer. We slaute you for ever always.

Scott

December 4, 2003

Wayne,
Your Dad, I and others, went to your brother Jake's graduation from Boot Camp. It was unbelievable as we watched him march across that parade deck, walked with him throughout the base and listened, as for the first time, he was called "Marine." We could see the dedication and determination in his eyes....and we could see you as well. Your dad and I both knew you were there with us, not only in spirit, but within Jake. I can't explain it other than to say we knew you were there, we just knew. Jake has so much of you within him.
He is home for Thanksgiving now and goes back tomorrow to complete his training at the School of Infantry, Camp Lejeune.
They are being told that they may be shipping to where the fighting is shortly. Continue to watch over him Wayne...I know that you will, just like you always have...
We love you always!
Terry

Terry

November 28, 2003

Wayne,
Your little brother, Jake, graduates from Boot Camp in 5 days. He did it Wayne...he worked so hard and now he has earned the title of United States Marine. He has done so well. You'd be so proud of him...he qualified as "expert" at the rifle range...just like you. I know that you will be there with us when he marches across that parade deck. He carries you with him everywhere...you can see it in his eyes. You did good "Big Brother"... Your little brother is a Marine.

Terry

October 18, 2003

Wayne,

This has been a tough year. We miss you so much.
Tomorrow is you little brother's 16th birthday...
It is also Father's day...you should be proud of Grace...she will forever keep you alive in Justin, Gabby and Nicky's hearts.
It is so sad because tomorrow should just be a happy day for everyone...Our days will never be the same without you.
We will go on...there will be birthdays and holidays and graduations....but they will not be what they should have been. We do carry you in our hearts and with that we find comfort. Time may ease the pain, but we will always feel the loss. We love you...

Terry

Wayne,

While I never had the pleasure of meeting you, I felt like I knew you from speaking with the officers who had the pleasure of knowing you and working with you. This last week saw the observance of Police Memorial Day, and the memorial service in Cleveland. The number of officers in attendance from all over the U.S., Canada, and Germany showed the kind of man, husband, father, and officer you were. My one hope is that you are resting in peace with our Saviour. Your love continues to live on in your wife and children.

Auxilliary Officer Patrick S. Cater
Euclid Police Department