Born: July 23, 1953

On Saturday, May 2, 1992 at 2:40 a.m. Sgt. Leach was enforcing traffic regulations in Westport, when he and two other men were hit by a drunk driver, 27 year old Joseph A. Smith of Platte Woods, Missouri. Sgt. Leach was standing inside barricades used frequently to block Westport Road, ensuring that cars didn't enter the street packed with pedestrian traffic. The 27 year old driver was speeding east on Westport Road, crashed through the barricades hitting the men, then crashed through another set of barricades just west of Broadway. He was not seriously injured.

Sgt. Leach and another man were pronounced dead at area hospitals. The third victim sustained minor injuries. The suspect was charged with two counts of Second Degree Murder. Police believe the suspect purposely crashed through the barricade hitting the men. The suspect's blood alcohol content at the time of the crash was .24. He was driving on a suspended license for a previous D.U.I.

Born: March 1, 1944

On Tuesday, December 1, 1992 at 8:51 p.m....... Sergeant Jack Shepley, Pilot, and Police Officer Stephen Faulkner who was serving as a Spotter, had been in the air for about 20 minutes when they were dispatched to assist other officers who were involved in a foot chase with suspects. On their way to the call, Officer Faulkner radioed an emergency to the dispatcher that they were going down near 23rd and Topping. That was the last radio contact made with the officers. The dispatcher sent emergency equipment to the location, but unfortunately the helicopter was in flames and the two officers were killed in the crash.