CLEVELAND — A special tribute was held Monday for a Cleveland Police officer who was killed in the line of duty more than 20 years ago.
A portion of Lorain Avenue, from West 30th to West 65th streets, is now named after Officer Wayne Leon.
The section of the road runs in front of Leon's alma mater, Saint Ignatius High School.
His family members say they're grateful his legacy will live on.
"It's such an amazing tribute, especially after 23 years, they still honor Wayne — it's so touching,” said Leon’s wife Grace Leon.
Wayne Leon was shot and killed during a traffic stop in 2000. The driver, Quisi Bryan, was convicted and is set to be executed in 2026.
Bryan was a fugitive when he shot and killed Leon. Leon’s murder was the catalyst for the US Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force.
The bill to rename the stretch of road the Officer Wayne A. Leon Memorial Highway was introduced by Ohio Senate Minority Leader Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) and was included in an amendment that was signed by the governor on Jan. 5, 2023, according to a news release from Antonio’s office.
Antonio was in attendance at the renaming ceremony at St. Ignatius Monday morning, along with Ohio State Representative Michael Skindell (D-Lakewood), Cleveland City Councilman Kerry McCormack, Cleveland Police Chief Wayne Drummond, Leon’s wife Grace and other distinguished guests and members of Cleveland area law enforcement, the release states.
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