ST. LOUIS — Officer David Lee, the St. Louis police officer who died in the line of duty after more than 18 years of service to the city, was laid to rest by his loved ones and fellow members of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department on Saturday.
Officer Lee was hit by a car on Sept. 22 while placing flares at the scene of a crash involving an off-duty Ferguson firefighter. He was rushed into emergency surgery but later died at SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital.
Visitation was held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, at Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church. A funeral service followed at 1 p.m.
A live stream of the funeral is available for replay on KSDK.com, the 5+ App (available on Apple TV, Fire TV, and Roku) and KSDK's YouTube page.
"The City of St. Louis changed on Sunday. The SLMPD lost a dedicated police officer and beloved colleague. Police Officer David Lee, a devoted husband and father of two, died in the line of duty at the age of 44," St. Louis Police Chief Robert Tracy said in a statement announcing the arrangements. "I met with Officer Lee’s family and reassured them that the men and women of SLMPD will always be by their side. The Lee family is grateful for the outpouring of support. We will never forget Officer Lee. His sacrifice is a guiding light for each of us – who now carry on his mission to serve and protect."
During Saturday's funeral service, Bishop Arthur Jones offered a prayer.
"Lord God, we suffered a great loss," Jones said. "Not that you don't know but we just want to acknowledge that we're suffering with somebody, someone that was full of love and compassion."
Also speaking on Oct. 5 was Lt. Paul Lauer with SLMPD.
"Of the thousands of traffic violators he stopped over the years, not one of them called to say that David was rude or inconsiderate during his interactions with them," Lt. Lauer said. "That really says something about David's character as a police officer."
Observations that warranted a round of applause from the hundreds of people gathered in the room.
Before his 18 years on the force, Officer Lee was protecting his little sister Danielle Lee during her first day of kindergarten. Danielle retold the story during her brother's service.
"When it was time to go home, I got lost in the midst of the program with hundreds of little kids running around trying to find a bus that all looked the same," Danielle said. "At that very moment, I was going to freak out and be extra but I heard a voice, 'Mama was going to get me if I lost you.' She definitely was. She definitely was going to get him. But he was there always looking out for me."
St. Louis and Missouri are now looking out for Lee's family with his wife and two children by showing up every day since his death.
"Don't just show up for the good times but show up for the people in their darkest times," Danielle said to the crowd. "David did that for me my entire life. To see the outpouring of love and support these last couple weeks shows me that he did the same thing for you all. That right there makes me the proudest little sister ever."
These were some of the final words Danielle had for the brother she lost too soon.
"David, just like the first day of a big school, you prepared me well," Danielle said. "I'm going to miss you. I'm going to love you. Good job big brother. Thank you."
Alderwoman Cara Spencer said several members of the Board of Alderman presented a resolution to Officer Lee's family recognizing his life and the sacrifice he made.
"These folks are putting their lives on the line on a daily basis to keep us safe," Spencer said.
Spencer also commented on how tough losing Lee has been for the City of St. Louis and St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.
"These guys are working really hard, and to lose a fellow officer and have to come back in and continue to work, it's been really hard," she said.
Dozens of people, like Anita Ozier, who didn't even know Lee, came to pay their respects.
"We celebrate him because he was willing to go out there and do things that we weren't willing to do. I just pray for his wife and his entire family, and I just love her sharing him with our community," Ozier said.
Lawrence O'Toole, incoming Executive Director for Backstoppers, said he knew Lee personally during his time with the St. Louis Police Department.
"Just the kind of officer you want out there representing the police department, and he cared about the community. When you think of a good, hardworking police officer, that was him. He was just that way," O'Toole said.
Lee's death serves as a reminder to the community of the difficulties that come with wearing the badge.
"When you're calling 911 and going the other way, they're going to the problem. So, we need to support our first responders," O'Toole said.
People willing to support Officer David Lee's loved ones and other survivors of fallen first responders can make monetary donations through Backstoppers by clicking here. Visit Backstoppers.org for more information.
