In the quiet town of Cotton Plant, Arkansas, a routine stop on a summer day in 1984 turned into a tragedy that would claim the life of its police chief. Leonard E. Cross, the 40-year-old Chief of Police, was a two-year veteran of the force and had also served his country in the U.S. Army. On Friday, July 13, 1984, Chief Cross and his fellow officer, Patrolman Roy Leon Jr., approached a 16-year-old juvenile they suspected of stealing a motorcycle.
As the officers began to escort the young
man to their patrol car for questioning, the situation escalated with shocking speed. A struggle broke out, and in the ensuing chaos, the teenager managed to gain control of one of the officers' service weapons. He opened fire, fatally wounding both lawmen. Patrolman Leon died at the scene, while Chief Cross succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital, leaving the small town without any full-time law enforcement officers.
The juvenile suspect fled after the shooting, but his freedom was short-lived. A manhunt was launched, and he was apprehended six hours later. The investigation revealed that the teenager had a lengthy criminal record, primarily involving motorcycle thefts, and had previously served three terms in juvenile detention facilities. Following his arrest, he was charged with two counts of capital murder.
On February 14, 1985, the juvenile was convicted for the murders of Chief Leonard E. Cross and Patrolman Roy Leon Jr. He was subsequently sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. As of late 2022, he remained incarcerated, having reportedly committed numerous disciplinary violations during his time in prison. The violent deaths of the two officers left a lasting scar on the community of Cotton Plant.
