Police Officer. Born in Oranda, Virginia, in 1928, he left his hometown to look for a job in Washington, DC, and became a police officer with the Metropolitan Police Department in 1929. He was assigned to Precinct 3, which ran the length of K Street. In 1936, he resigned to become a building technician. In 1941, he returned to the Metropolitan Police. In 1942 he requested and was awarded a transfer to the White House Police Force. That year, as the United States entered World War II, he was drafted and assigned to B Company, 300th Infantry Regiment, United States Army. Leslie Coffelt served less than two years and never made it overseas; the Army gave him a medical discharge. In 1945, he returned to duty with the White House Police Force protecting President Truman. In 1950 he was fatally shot during an aborted assassination attempt against President Harry Truman at Blair House in Washington, DC. Officer Leslie Coffelt returned fire, killing his assailant. The second suspect was found guilty of murder and served 29 years in prison. This incident prompted Congress to enact legislation that permanently authorized Secret Service protection of the President, his immediate family and the Vice President. He was only 40 years old at the time of his death.
Police Officer. Born in Oranda, Virginia, in 1928, he left his hometown to look for a job in Washington, DC, and became a police officer with the Metropolitan Police Department in 1929. He was assigned to Precinct 3, which ran the length of K Street. In 1936, he resigned to become a building technician. In 1941, he returned to the Metropolitan Police. In 1942 he requested and was awarded a transfer to the White House Police Force. That year, as the United States entered World War II, he was drafted and assigned to B Company, 300th Infantry Regiment, United States Army. Leslie Coffelt served less than two years and never made it overseas; the Army gave him a medical discharge. In 1945, he returned to duty with the White House Police Force protecting President Truman. In 1950 he was fatally shot during an aborted assassination attempt against President Harry Truman at Blair House in Washington, DC. Officer Leslie Coffelt returned fire, killing his assailant. The second suspect was found guilty of murder and served 29 years in prison. This incident prompted Congress to enact legislation that permanently authorized Secret Service protection of the President, his immediate family and the Vice President. He was only 40 years old at the time of his death.
Bio by: Shock
Inscription
White House Policeman who gave his life in defense of the president of the United States during an asssassination attempt at The Blair House, Washington, D.C.
Virgina
U.S. Army World War II
Pvt Co B 300 Inf Regt
Family Members
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