Deputy Leonard Barton Parker
(1948-2024)

Len was born on June 29, 1948 in Cincinnati to Edward and Catherine B. (McWalters) Parker of Price Hill. He attended St. Ann’s School in Antonio, Texas. In 1971, he attended the University of Cincinnati taking courses in Psychology, and in 1977 taking courses in Criminal Justice, and maintained a 4.0 GPA in both.

From 1969 to 1970 he worked in maintenance at Mabley and Carew. He then became a security guard at K-Mart on Ridge Road, then at Hamilton County Security Services. In 1971, he switched to shipping clerk at R. E. Kindel Company. He also worked as an Anderson Township Special Deputy. 

 On April 30, 1973, Len joined the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office as a Jail Guard. He was certified by Ohio as a Peace Officer on June 2, 1973. On March 4, 1974, he was promoted to Patrol Clerk. On May 18, 1978, he was promoted to Patrol Officer. and eventually retired. He is a member of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 84.

Deputy Parker was diagnosed with a disease that caused severe pain in his extremities. He retired with a disability on September 1, 1984.

Deputy Parker moved to a 720-acre farm in Hillsboro and was ordained a Deacon in 2001 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. He served there for many years and he and his wife taught RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation) for 20 years. He is also a 4^th Degree Knight of Columbus.

Deacon Parker died at Hospice of Hope in Adams County on June 13, 2024 at the age of 75.

He was predeceased by his wife of 47 years, Ellen Sue (Hunt) Parker (2017). Deacon Parker is survived by his children, Patrick Stephen (Penny) Parker, Lawrence Edward (Keri) Parker, and Beth (David) Snider; grandchildren, Mikayla (Lawrence) Beavan and Kenton Snider; and great grandchildren, Faryn Grey Beavan and Killian Charles Beavan.

Visitation will be held 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 20, 2024 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1 p.m. by Fr. Mike Paraniuk. Burial will immediately follow in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.

Memorials can be made to Mount St. Mary’s Seminary & School of Theology, Advance Office, 6616 Beechmont Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45230.

_{© 2024 – All rights reserved to LT Stephen R. Kramer RET and the Greater Cincinnati Police Museum}