Leonard Sanchez

How they died

Deadly force

Officers responded to a motel at 6:18 p.m. after they received a call from a woman at the motel reporting that her boyfriend was intoxicated, had a knife, and was threatening to harm himself. Two police officers saw the man and woman arguing outside at the front door of their motel room. They could also see children inside the room, police said. As the officers approached, the man allegedly produced a knife from his pocket and threatened the officers. Police ordered him to drop the knife and Officer William Spiller shot and killed him when he attempted to go back into the motel room.

Why we remember them

This record exists so that Leonard Sanchez, and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources