Kentucky fire major killed shielding wife during tornado
LONDON, Ky. (FOX 56) — Friday's deadly storms devastated portions of southern Kentucky and claimed the lives of at least 19 people.
Seventeen of those victims were from Laurel County, including a hometown hero. Several are taking time to grieve and honor a life cut short, as others start to rebuild.
Many people flee from chaos and danger, but first responders often charge toward the eye of the storm to protect and save.
Laurel County Fire Department Deputy Chief Terry Wattenbarger said Major Leslie Leatherman was among the best.
'His whole life has been public service and taking care of his community,' said Wattenbarger.
For 39 years, Leatherman answered the call to protect others in times of need. Friday night was no exception.
Multiple vintage airplanes destroyed by storm at London airport
Tornado leaves Pulaski County businesses, business owners to recover
Kentucky fire major killed shielding wife during tornado
Officials said he was responding to a fire alarm just before midnight when he got caught up in the tornado that tore through the county.
His body was later found lying in a field on top of his wife. Wattenbarger said he likely saved her life by shielding her with his own. He explained that Leatherman was a true leader and mentor for the next generation.
'It's priceless when you have somebody with that much knowledge and experience, and you have someone that is willing to step up and lead and be a mentor and take other firefighters under their wing,' he said.
Though many knew him as Major Leatherman, others who knew him best said to them, he was simply Les. Wattenbarger—who's known him since high school—said he was a great friend and family man.
'He'd make you laugh and was just a good time,' said Wattenbarger. 'And I knew that at any time, if I needed advice or a phone call that I could call him and whatever it was, you know, we could work it out together.'
Leatherman's body was escorted home by a convoy of emergency vehicles, and flags are at half-staff throughout the county and at the National Firefighters' Memorial in his honor.
Read more of the latest Kentucky news
Wattenbarger said Leatherman's colleagues are heartbroken but that they will proudly carry on his legacy of service and sacrifice.
'If the role was reversed and it was one of us and he was still here, he would want to keep moving forward. And we'll survive. We'll go on, and we will be here to protect the public.'
A GoFundMe has been set up for Leatherman's wife and family to help cover medical and funeral costs.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Oak Creek man pleads guilty in drunk driving homicide of St. Francis teacher
An Oak Creek man has pleaded guilty to homicide by driving intoxicated in connection with a crash in Cudahy that killed a local teacher. Troy Vaillancourt, 28, was facing the felony charge for allegedly driving drunk and causing an accident that took the life of St. Francis teacher Michelle Engman on Dec. 6, 2024. Vaillancourt changed his plea to guilty June 9 as part of a plea agreement, according to online court records. He initially pleaded not guilty in December 2024. The court found him guilty and Vaillancourt was remanded into Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department custody. Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 22. Following the crash, a GoFundMe was launched to help support Engman's family. As of June 9 it had raised $31,777 ― well above its $19,000 goal. According to the complaint: Cudahy police were dispatched to East Van Norman and South Lipton avenues for a two-car crash at 3 p.m. Dec. 6, 2024. Authorities found a Honda Civic and Chevrolet Trailblazer with severe damage and determined the crash occurred in the middle of the intersection. Engman, who was driving the Civic, was unconscious with no pulse. Officers attempted lifesaving measures until paramedics arrived and took her to the hospital. She died Dec. 8 from injuries received in the crash, according to the autopsy. Vaillancourt told police he was the driver of the Trailblazer and said he'd just finished work and was traveling south on South Lipton Avenue when the crash happened. Traffic southbound on Lipton has a stop sign while traffic on Van Norman Avenue has no stop sign. 'I'm 90% sure I blew the stop sign then hit her,' Vaillancourt told an officer, adding that he 'probably was speeding.' Officers observed Vaillancourt exhibited signs of intoxication though he denied drinking before the crash. He did admit to drinking the night before, including the early morning hours of Dec. 6. Vaillancourt took a breathalyzer which indicated his blood alcohol level was 0.169%. The legal limit in Wisconsin is 0.08%, but since Vaillancourt had two prior OWI convictions he must maintain a BAC under 0.02%. Contact Erik S. Hanley at Like his Facebook page, The Redheadliner, and follow him on X @Redheadliner. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Oak Creek man pleads guilty in crash that killed St. Francis teacher
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Oklahoma City Police looking for more information in deadly 2021 shooting
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – Oklahoma City Police say they're looking for more information in a deadly shooting from 2021. According to the Oklahoma City Police Department, officers responded to a home in the 6200 block of Douglas Ave. around midnight on June 11, 2021. Upon arrival, they found three victims who had been shot. One victim, Larry McDowell, was pronounced dead at the scene. LOCAL NEWS: Man calls 911 after he finds a body on the side of the road Officials say the victims were at an outdoor gathering with the shooting happened. Someone fired shots into the crowd. No arrests have been made as the investigation continues. Anyone with more information is encouraged to contact the Homicide Tip Line at 405-297-1200. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Lancaster police seeking assistance identifying attempted robbery suspect
LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) — Authorities are seeking public assistance identifying two suspects who attempted to rob a store in Lancaster County last week. According to the Columbia Borough Police Department, on Friday, June 6, at around 10:08 p.m., two suspects wearing black masks and black hoodies attempted to rob a store on the 200 block of Locust Street. Police say the first suspect was a light-skinned male, possibly a juvenile, wearing gray capri-style pants, a black hoodie with a female figure on the front, no shoes, and a black face mask. The second suspect was a medium-skinned male wearing black sweatpants with a ride stripe down each side, a black hoodie, and a black face mask, per police. If you recognize the male in the photo or the descriptions of the other suspect, contact the Columbia Borough Police Department at 717-684-7735 or submit a tip on CrimeWatch. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
