Sheriff Leonard Adams Sr.

End of Watch: Wed, Dec 6th, 1961

Date of Incident: Wed, Dec 6th, 1961

Cause of Death: Gunfire (Intentional)

Service Time: 20 years

Age: 46

Survivors

His expectant wife and 13 children

Incident

Deputy Sheriff Leonard Adams was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man for being drunk in public in Mayking.

He was in the area on other business when a citizen informed him of the drunk man. Deputy Adams located the subject carrying a 12 gauge shotgun at the railroad crossing over Cram Creek. He exited his car and as he got within two feet of the subject, the man opened fire, shooting him. Despite being mortally wounded, Deputy Adams returned fire and killed the subject.

Two of Deputy Adams' sons witnessed the shooting and accompanied him to the hospital where he died a short time later.

Deputy Adams had served with the Letcher County Sheriff's Department for 20 years.

Information obtained from the Officer Down Memorial Page.