James E. Leonard
James E. Leonard is a former fire Chief of Department who was relieved of duty for alleged misconduct from the New York City Fire Department (FDNY).
James E. Leonard | |
|---|---|
| FDNY Chief of Department | |
| In office November 1, 2014 – December 6, 2018 | |
| Commissioner | Daniel A. Nigro |
| Preceded by | Edward Kilduff |
| Succeeded by | John Sudnik |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Brooklyn, NY |
| Spouse | Patricia Leonard |
| Residence(s) | Staten Island, NY |
| Alma mater | St. Francis College, John Jay College of Criminal Justice |
Leonard was the 35th Chief of department in the 150-year history of the New York City Fire Department. The Fire Chief is the most senior uniformed member of the fire department. Chief Leonard was relieved of duty for alleged misconduct on December 6, 2018. He officially retired on February 15, 2019.
Born in Brooklyn as a third-generation Irish American, Leonard grew up in Flatbush and received a Roman Catholic school system education. Leonard also attended a Franciscan college, earning an associate degree in Criminal Justice and a bachelor's degree in Sociology from St. Francis College in 1983. Leonard also holds a Master of Science degree in Fire Protection Management from John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
Leonard lives in Staten Island, and has a son, Thomas J. Leonard, who is a firefighter at Ladder 77 with the FDNY.