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

A service in memory of Apollo police Officer Leonard C. Miller was held at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Apollo on Sunday. Miller, 21, was the fourth and final victim in the eight-day “Kill for Thrill” murder spree on Jan. 3, 1980.

From left, Crystal Thompkins; the Rev. April Bell of Morning Star Baptist Church in Parks; and her husband, Demond Bell, perform “My Life is in Your Hands” by Kirk Franklin during a service in memory of Apollo police Officer Leonard Miller at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Apollo on Sunday.

The Rev. April Bell (center), of Morning Star Baptist Church in Parks Township, her husband, Demond Bell, and Crystal Thompkins sing during a service in memory of Apollo police Officer Leonard C. Miller at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Apollo on Sunday.

Boy Scouts with Spring Church Troop 589 present colors during a service in memory of Apollo police Officer Leonard Miller at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Apollo on Sunday.

Jim Clawson, a retired Apollo police officer and former chief, was often overcome with emotion as he spoke of his friend, Leonard Miller, during a service celebrating his life at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Apollo on Sunday. Miller died in the line of duty 45 years ago, on Jan. 3, 1980, the fourth and final victim of the “Kill for Thrill” murder spree.

A U.S. flag flutters in the breeze on a snowy day outside First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Apollo on Sunday. The church hosted a service in memory of Apollo police Officer Leonard C. Miller, who was killed in the line of duty 45 years ago on Jan. 3, 1980.

Pam Caruthers, of New Life Baptist Church, sings “Goodness of God” during a service in memory of Apollo police Officer Leonard C. Miller at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Apollo on Sunday.