Fire official died in Laurel County tornado, shielding his wife from danger

Laurel County Fire Major Roger Leslie Leatherman devoted his career to protecting others.

He died doing precisely that while shielding his wife from the powerful tornado that ravaged their neighborhood Friday night.

Leatherman was found dead on top of his wife about 150 yards outside their destroyed home. Michelle Leatherman sustained critical injuries but survived, Laurel County Fire Department officials confirmed Monday.

Authorities said he rushed to the scene, and it’s not known if he recognized his wife during the violent storm.

“He was an amazing individual,” Fire Chief Shane Lynch told the Herald-Leader. “There are a lot of people that strive to be like him and in my opinion, everyone should try to live his life.

“He spent his life protecting the community and in the end, he did the same thing.”

Even three days after the EF-3 tornado ripped apart his neighborhood in London, Kentucky, some details about what happened are still unclear, the chief said.

For instance, fire officials are unsure whether the Leathermans were thrown from their home., Lynch said.

But in a news release, fire officials described dramatic events that led to the death of the 57-year-old major. He was one of at least 19 people who died in two confirmed tornadoes Friday into the early hours of Saturday in Laurel and surrounding counties.

At approximately 11:07 p.m. Friday, a tornado was confirmed on the ground in nearby Somerset. The National Weather Service issued several warnings for the nearby areas, including Laurel County.

Thirty minutes later, a fire alarm was reported at 582 Sunshine Hills Road in Laurel County.

Leatherman responded to the scene from his home and confirmed via the department’s private radio channel he was en route, according to the department. “He said he could take calls,” Lynch said.

At 11:48 p.m., a call came in for a trapped person at 291 Hart Church Road. Just one minute later, a structural collapse was reported at 382 Sunshine Hills Road, indicating widespread damage in the Sunshine Hills community, officials said.

Fire Lt. James Spicer contacted Laurel County 911 on his radio and reported a tornado on the ground, describing major damage and requesting all county fire departments respond.

Crews discovered two individuals in a field across from Boone Trace on Sunshine Hills Road. A unidentified conscious woman was calling for help, and an unresponsive man was found lying on top of her.

Responders removed the man and treated the woman, who was then transported to the hospital.

Officials determined the man had died at the scene, and his location was recorded for later identification and for the coroner to respond. They left him in the field amid the post-storm chaos.

Between midnight and 12:30 a.m. Saturday, attempts to reach Leatherman by radio were unsuccessful, and a search was launched.

It was then that responders revisited the scene across from Boone Trace. Spicer and Deputy Chief Jared Kennedy returned to confirm the identity of the man, who turned out to be Leatherman.

“It appears that Major Leatherman was responding to the initial fire alarm when the tornado struck,” officials said in the release.

“Upon encountering the injured female, he used his body to shield her from further harm. He was fatally injured in the process. The female was later identified as his wife, Michelle Leatherman, who was critically injured.

“It is unknown if Major Leatherman was aware of her identity at the time due to the extreme darkness, noise, and traumatic events.,” officials added in the release.

“Major Leatherman’s selfless actions exemplify the highest ideals of public service and sacrifice. His commitment to duty and protection of others, even under the most dangerous conditions, will never be forgotten.”

Leatherman was a dedicated public servant for 39 years, fire officials said Saturday in confirming he was among the dead.

Leatherman began his career as an emergency medical technician and later became an emergency dispatcher for Laurel County and Kentucky State Police, according to his obituary from London Funeral Home. At the time of his death he was serving as assistant director of the 911 center in Whitley County and a fire rescue instructor for the Kentucky Fire Commission.

Flags are being lowered in honor of Leatherman at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Maryland.

Leatherman’s brother-in-law, Dwight Scalf, told the Herald-Leader that the Leathermans had been married more than 30 years. He said his sister was in the trauma unit at the UK Chandler hospital and is facing at least three upcoming surgeries. UK spokesperson Jay Blanton said Tuesday that Michelle Leatherman was in critical condition.

“You can never count Michelle out. She’s going to fight,” said Scalf.

As of Friday, May 23, Michelle’s status had been reportedly been upgraded to “serious.”

“Les was one of the most selfless individuals,” said Scalf, noting what a good husband, father to his son Evan and grandfather Leatherman was.

Scalf said he wasn’t shocked that Leatherman died protecting his wife.

“That’s the kind of man he was,” said Scalf.

His funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Monday, May 26 at Faith Assembly of God Church. The visitation will be at Faith Assembly of God Church from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Monday. London Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

This story was originally published May 19, 2025 at 3:40 PM.