Legacy of slain Apollo police Officer Leonard Miller recalled, honored 45 years later

On an evening in October 1979, a part-time Apollo police officer called then-mayor William Kerr and asked if he’d like to ride ‘shotgun’ with him that night.

Kerr said he and Leonard Miller talked about Miller soon becoming a full-time police officer for the borough.

“Leonard said that he loved his job and it was a dream come true because he cared so much about this community,” Kerr said. “There was no doubt in my mind that his words were genuine and sincere.”

On the early morning of Jan. 3, 1980, Miller’s third day as a full-time Apollo police officer, the 21-year-old was shot and killed.

Residents braved snow-covered roads to gather at Apollo First Evangelical Lutheran Church on Sunday for the 45th anniversary of Miller’s death in the line of duty.

“The celebration of life today is central to Officer Miller’s legacy, one in which reminds us that public service is a way of life, even to lay down one’s life for friends and community,” Kerr said.

Miller was the fourth and final victim of convicted murderers John Lesko and Michael Travaglia, whose crimes are known as the “Kill for Thrill” murder spree.

Miller chased a speeding vehicle that had run a red light across the Kiski River, stopping it on Route 66 in Oklahoma Borough. As he approached the vehicle, Miller was shot twice.

He is buried in Riverview Cemetery.

Lesko and Travaglia, then also 21, were arrested later that day and eventually sentenced to death. Travaglia was 59 when he died in prison of natural causes in September 2017. Lesko, 66, remains on death row.

The memorial service for Miller is held every five years. As time passes, the ranks of those who knew Miller grow older and fewer.

Apollo Officer Ron Baustert said he was 14 when he met Miller. Baustert’s father was a full-time officer and worked with Miller.

He remembers his dad talking about teaching “the new kid,” and Miller coming to his house to talk with his dad. Other doors were open to Miller if he needed a cup of coffee, some iced tea or a place to rest from the multiple double shifts part-time officers routinely worked.

“I remember everybody liked Leonard,” Baustert said. “Being raised by a police officer and having myself been a police officer for 22 years, I know that there’s always somebody out there who’s willing to say a bad word about a police officer. I don’t know anybody who’s ever said anything bad about Leonard.”

When he trains rookies, Baustert said he shows them Miller’s grave and tells them his story so the lesson of, “It can happen anywhere, even in small town Apollo” gets across loud and clear.

“It is my belief today there are only two actively working police officers who actually knew Leonard. I’m one of them. Chief (Joe) Caporali of Vandergrift is the other,” he said. “As the years go by, I wonder if our small town will forget. I pray not, and as I see today that’s not true. I do know that for those of us who knew Leonard personally, he will never be forgotten.”

The only child of the late Frank and Evelyn Miller of Kiski, Miller had been a Boy Scout, a junior volunteer firefighter and an emergency medical technician. After graduating from Apollo-Ridge in 1977, he was hired as a part-time police officer in Apollo while completing training. He graduated from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s police academy with honors in 1979, and was recommended for full-time employment with Apollo.

Jim Clawson, 71, retired from Apollo’s police in 2000. He was a sergeant at the time Miller was killed, and became chief later in 1980.

Clawson said he and Miller graduated from the academy at IUP together, and worked side-by-side with a commitment to protect and serve their community. Remembering Miller as a young and vibrant person, Clawson said they were excited for Miller’s promotion to full-time status because his lifelong dream was coming true.

They also spent time together socially. Clawson said he and Miller were among a group of five or six who would hang out on weekends.

“I knew Leonard and Leonard was a very close friend,” Clawson said. “My message to you is to help sustain the legacy of Apollo Officer Leonard C. Miller for giving his life and making the ultimate sacrifice to the greater Apollo community.”

Roberta “Robin” Davis, 70, of Allegheny Township started as an officer in Apollo in 1975 and was police chief from 2000 until retiring in 2005. Calling Miller a close colleague, she said she’ll never forget his dedication and commitment to the community.

”He was a shining example of public service and he made positive differences in the lives of people he served,” she said. “He would rather correct somebody by talking with them than giving them a ticket or arrest them. That’s just who he was. He was genuine by nature, he had a congenial personality, he had an exceptional good rapport with the young people and he really stepped out of his way to help the troubled youth.”

But for everything that was said of Miller, there was one thing omitted — his love of marshmallows toasted over a fire, said James Morran, 85, who met Miller when the future officer was about 13.

“He really loved them. He would take that thing off the stick, put it in his mouth and let it dissolve,” he said. “He was just a good kid.”

On that ride-along in October 1979, Kerr remembered Miller putting on a pair of sunglasses, smiling, swaying his head and singing Stevie Wonder’s “You Are the Sunshine of My Life.”

“Just as Officer Miller sang metaphorically that the community would stay in his heart, I say this to you and everybody here today, that Leonard Miller is in our hearts today and will be forever,” Kerr said. “As he looks down upon us this day, Leonard, look around at this gathering, your friends are here today. This is your family. And they will never forget your life and the ultimate sacrifice that you made to the greater community.

“Indeed, we came today not because Officer Miller died, but because he lived.”