In Memory of Lieutenant Leslie Lentz
Missouri Loses Corrections Lieutenant to COVID
On Thursday, July 1, 2021, officials representing the state of Missouri came forward to brief the public that a local law enforcement officer had passed due to COVID19. Lieutenant Leslie Lentz, age 63, died from complications from contracting the deadly coronavirus. It has been determined that Lt. Lentz likely contracted this virus through his work at the Ozark Correctional Facility and is considered a line of duty death. Lt. Lentz had a long law enforcement career and had worked to serve his community as a part of the Missouri Department of Corrections for more than 24 years.
Lentz proudly wore badge number 34156 with the MDOC. He enjoyed spending time with his family and riding on his Harley Davidson motorcycle in his personal life. Lentz was born in Burbank, California, and moved to Missouri early on with his parents. After becoming a law enforcement officer, Lentz settled in the area of Rogersville, Missouri.
Missouri Department of Corrections
Lt. Lentz spent his law enforcement career working for the Missouri Department of Corrections. The MDOC is founded on the motto: “A Safer Missouri and the Standard of Excellence in Corrections.” The agency was founded in 1820 and is now more than 200 years old. The MDOC operates 21 facilities within the state of Missouri. Two of the included institutions are work-release facilities.
MDOC employs more than 11,000 people and covers nearly 70,000 square miles in its jurisdiction. Working to keep criminals off the streets and rehabilitate others into more productive citizens helps the 6.2 million residents of Missouri stay safer in their communities.
Ozark Correctional Facility
Lentz was most recently assigned to the Ozark Correctional Facility for the past ten years of his service. Located in Fordland, Missouri, the Ozark Correctional Facility is a minimum-security prison that houses up to 738 male inmates. The facility offers a long-term 12-to-24-month drug treatment program to help offenders move past addiction problems.
The facility also encourages offenders to work towards their future by offering both educational and vocational opportunities. Ozark also provides a 40-hour course on ‘Impact of Crimes on Victims’ training. This course allows inmates to gain insight into how their crimes impact the victims and their families.
Remembrances
Lieutenant Leslie Lentz leaves behind his son. Extended family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers will help the Lentz family through their time of grief. In addition, law enforcement from around the area will ensure that Lt. Lentz receives full honors and is shown the gratitude he deserves for the sacrifice he made for his community.
The IACP or International Association of Chiefs of Police shared their condolences with the Lentz family on social media. “Our thoughts go out to the @MoCorrections colleagues, friends, & family of Lieutenant Leslie Lentz of the Missouri Department of Corrections, Missouri.”
The non-profit organization, Supporting Heroes, posted the loss on their Facebook page, sharing the grief with the family for the loss of a law enforcement officer. “We regret to announce the line-of-duty death of Corrections Lieutenant Leslie Lentz of the Missouri Department of Corrections — Ozark Correctional Center. Lieutenant Lentz died Thursday from complications of COVID-19 contracted in the line of duty. Lieutenant Lentz is survived by an adult son. Please keep the Lentz and Missouri Department of Corrections families in your thoughts and prayers.”
