James Martin Leach
Agency: Kansas City Police Department, MO
Sergeant Leach served with the Kansas City Police Department for 14 years.
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 suspect drove through a barricade gate and forced his car under a barricade chain. Smith screamed Rodney King and sped east on Westport Road, crashed through the barricades hitting Sgt. Leach and another man, drove at a high speed from the scene, then crashed through another set of barricades just west of Broadway. The suspect attempted to flee the scene on foot but was captured. As he was strapped to a backboard, in preparation to be taken to the hospital, he was heard to say that he would only get 2 or 3 years for manslaughter for killing a cop.
Sgt. Leach and another man were pronounced dead at area hospitals. A third victim sustained minor injuries. The suspect was charged with two counts of second degree murder and armed criminal action. 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. The suspect was convicted of second degree murder and armed criminal action and sent to prison with two consecutive life sentences for murder and ten consecutive years for armed criminal action. Smith unsuccessfully appealed his conviction in 1994.
He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
Reflections:
Jim was my older brother and a pretty cool one at that. When he was killed on May 2nd, which is also our mother's birthday, it was very devastating. I remember during the process of the funeral, there were so many people that had a story to tell us about him! And with Jimmy, they were usually funny! There was an estimated 5000 people to attend his funeral and you have no idea what that meant to us as a family! It wasn't just officers, which they came from all over, but the amount of civilians that came as well and my brother had touched their lives in some sort of way! I miss him daily! I love you bro!
Michael Leach
Brother
I think about my friends I have lost from the department and Jim was very special as we spent time together when he worked the 370 squad at EPD and I was in the 360 squad. Jim was always full of life and I always enjoyed being around him. You are never forgotten!!!
Mike Moorefield
Former KCMOPD #2931
Tonight I remember my co-worker and friend, who was murdered so many years ago while we worked off-duty in Westport....I was there with several others and it changed our lives forever!!! We salute you Jimmy for your service and hope the best for your family and children who are now grown adults. You are NOT FORGOTTEN!!!!!
Detective Billy Martin
KCMO P.D.
22 years have gone by pretty fast. I was off on a fishing trip at the Lake or I would have been with you, Mom, BK, Jay-Dog, Captain Stun, Bobby and Little Sharon as we were the Westport Rangers-KCPD. Bike Cops before Bike Cops were called Community Policing. You died doing what you love to do, being a COP and in these difficult times surrounding the law enforcement family it is always comforting to know that you did not suffer on that horrible day in May 1992. Cool down a couple cocktails for us all as our times will approach faster than many of us may want. May God continue to bless your Soul, Sgt!!!
Troy Meyer (Sgt.) KCPD
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