Tragedy Strikes Kentucky: Firefighter Killed in Tornado
The community of Laurel County, Kentucky, is grieving the loss of more than a dozen people, including a firefighter who spent nearly four decades helping others, after a tornado destroyed his neighborhood while he was on duty.
Laurel County Fire Department Maj. Leslie “Les” Roger Leatherman died Friday night after a tornado ripped through the Sunshine Hills subdivision outside of London, Kentucky.
“His house is nothing but blocks now; his house doesn’t exist,” Laurel County Fire Department Deputy Chief Terry Wattenbarger told FOX Weather.
Leatherman responded to a call on Friday night and was returning home when the tornado unfolded.
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Leatherman’s wife, Michelle, was critically injured and remains in critical but stable condition. The couple was found in a field about 150 to 300 feet away from their home.
“It actually appears that he gave his life to save her life,” Wattenbarger said.
Maj. Leslie “Les” Roger Leatherman, of the Laurel County Fire Department, was killed when a tornado hit his neighborhood on May 16, 2025. (Laurel County Fire Department / FOX Weather)
A Life of Service
Wattenbarger is a lifelong friend and fellow first responder with Leatherman. The pair graduated from high school together and joined the volunteer fire department.
Wattenbarger said his friend likely died doing what he dedicated his life to: helping others.
“He was just truly a public servant at heart,” Wattenbarger said.
Community members and crews clean up debris in the neighborhood of Sunshine Hills on May 17, 2025 in London, Kentucky. (Photo by Michael Swensen/Getty Images)
After volunteer fire service, Leatherman became an emergency medical technician, then a 911 operator and a Kentucky State Police dispatcher. Prior to his passing, he was an assistant director at Whitley County 911.
“His whole life, volunteer and career has been nothing but public service and giving of himself to the public and trying to take care of other people’s emergencies,” Wattenbarger said.
Tornado Outbreak
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At least 21 people have been confirmed dead in Kentucky and Missouri after a tornado outbreak. FOX Weather’s Katie Bryne joined LiveNOW from FOX’s Josh Breslow with a look at the situation in St. Louis, where five people were killed.
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Leatherman’s death marks the first line-of-duty death for the department since 1962.
Personal Life
Leatherman is survived by his wife, Michelle; son, Evan; daughter-in-law, Amber; and his two grandchildren. Wattenbarger said he was a proud parent and loved his son “endlessly.”
“He was a very proud parent. He loved Evan endlessly. Evan played soccer and Les was constantly just bragging on Evan, you know, how good he was doing in soccer. And once he got grandkids, he was even prouder of his grandkids,” he said.
Tornado damage in London, Kentucky as seen on May 17, 2025. (London Mayor Randall Weddle / FOX Weather)
Aftermath
At least 17 lives in Laurel County were taken during the severe weather and tornado event on Friday. The death toll also continues to rise in the neighboring counties of eastern Kentucky.
The Sunshine Hill subdivision suffered unimaginable destruction. Another Laurel County firefighter responding to the tornado also suffered a complete loss of his home, Wattenbarger said.
The department is continuing to respond to the natural disaster and mourn the loss of a great public servant.
“We’re survivors, and we’re going to continue. He would want us to do, and that is to provide the service that he provided for his last to the community of Laurel County.”
LINK: GET UPDATES ON THIS STORY FROM FOX WEATHER
Conclusion
The tragic loss of Maj. Leslie “Les” Roger Leatherman is a reminder of the dangers and sacrifices made by first responders. His dedication to public service and his community will not be forgotten. As the people of Laurel County, Kentucky, continue to recover and rebuild, they will always remember the heroism and selflessness of Maj. Leatherman.
FAQs
Q: What happened to Maj. Leslie “Les” Roger Leatherman?
A: Maj. Leatherman was killed when a tornado hit his neighborhood on May 16, 2025, while he was on duty.
Q: How many people were killed in the tornado outbreak?
A: At least 21 people were confirmed dead in Kentucky and Missouri after the tornado outbreak.
Q: What was Maj. Leatherman’s background in public service?
A: Maj. Leatherman had a long career in public service, including volunteer fire service, emergency medical technician, 911 operator, and Kentucky State Police dispatcher.
Q: How is the community of Laurel County, Kentucky, responding to the tragedy?
A: The community is continuing to respond to the natural disaster and mourn the loss of Maj. Leatherman, with many paying tribute to his dedication and service.
