Biography · Biography & Culture
Killing of Leonard Deadwyler
1941–1966
United States
BIOGRAPHYPortrait not availableExplore the life, work and source references.
Biography
Leonard Deadwyler (February 19, 1941 – May 7, 1966) was an African-American man who was shot and killed by LAPD officer Jerold M. Bova after allegedly speeding and running red lights while driving his wife, who was in labor, to the hospital. His wife later sued Los Angeles for wrongful death, and was represented by Johnnie Cochran, but lost the case. However, his death helped spur the building of the Martin Luther King, Jr.
Sources & collection details
Wikipedia contributors — original record ↗
Biography text · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source checked 2026-10-13
