On July 13, 1984, in Cotton Plant, Arkansas, 24-year-old Police Officer Roy L. Leon, Jr. was killed during a confrontation over a stolen motorcycle. Officer Leon and Police Chief Leonard E. Cross approached 16-year-old Benny Ray Hatley. During a struggle Hatley gained control of Chief Cross’s firearm and opened fire; Officer Leon was fatally wounded at the scene and Chief Cross later died at a nearby hospital.

Hatley fled but was captured without resistance about six hours later in Des Arc. He had prior contacts with law enforcement related to stolen motorcycles and previous stays in juvenile facilities. The town, population about 1,300, was left without its two full-time officers and law enforcement duties were assumed by the Woodruff County Sheriff’s Office and the Arkansas State Police.

If anyone knew Officer Roy Leon or has information about the events that day, please share what you remember.