ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — The St. Louis County Police Department is mourning the loss of one of their retired police chiefs.
Jerry Lee, 71, died on Nov. 22 after a battle with medical issues, according to a St. Louis County Police Department spokesperson.
Lee joined the department in 1970 as a police recruit. As a patrol officer, he was assigned to the Affton Southwest Precinct, the West County Precinct, and the Office of the Chief of Police. He served as a Sergeant in the Tactical Operations Unit and the West County Precinct. Lee then served as the Commander of Staff Services, Criminal Identification Unit and the Bureau of Drug Enforcement. Upon promotion to Major, Lee served as the Commanding Officer of the Division of Patrol, the Division of Operational Support, and the Division of Criminal Investigation. In 2004, he was appointed to serve as the Chief of Police by the Board of Police Commissioners.
After 39 years, he retired in 2009. Lee then served on the Board of Police Commissioners for the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department for one year. He was then appointed as the Missouri Public Safety Director, a position he held for three years. Chief Lee also served as a Board Member of BackStoppers and Guns ‘N Hoses.
“We are saddened by the death of retired Chief Jerry Lee. Chief Lee was deeply committed to the men and women of this Department and the citizens of St. Louis County. His years of dedicated service represent the genuine character Chief Lee possessed. Our deepest condolences go out to the many people who loved him,” St. Louis County police chief Jon Belmar said.
