Local Highways Renamed in Honor of Fallen Deputies

EDEN, TX — The Tom Green County Sheriff's Office commemorated the lives of Deputy Samuel Leonard and Sgt. Stephen Jones by dedicating stretches of local highways in their honor. 

The ceremony was held on the morning of March 12 in Eden. 

The dedication renamed a portion of US Highway 87, extending from the west city limits of Eden to the Concho/Tom Green County line, as the Deputy Samuel Leonard Memorial Highway. 

Similarly, FM 765, from the McCulloch County Line to the Tom Green County Line, has been named the Sgt. Stephen Jones Memorial Highway. 

Both Deputy Leonard and Sgt. Jones tragically lost their lives in 2021 while responding to a call regarding a complaint about a dog in Eden. 

The situation escalated into a deadly altercation at a residence on the 100 block of Bryan Street, where the deputies and an Eden City employee encountered the suspect. 

The confrontation led to the suspect fatally shooting both deputies and critically injuring the city employee. The assailant was arrested and has been charged with two counts of capital murder of a police officer.

Deputy Leonard had been a member of the Concho County Sheriff's Office for six months, following one and a half years of service as a deputy/officer. 

Sgt. Jones had dedicated eight years to serving the community with the Concho County Sheriff's Office.