Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer David Lee was struck and killed by a vehicle while assisting at a crash scene on eastbound I-70, just east of the Adelaide Avenue exit, shortly after 8:45 am.
He was setting out flares when an approaching vehicle struck him. The driver was speeding on a wet road when he started to spin and lost control of his car. During the spin, he hit Officer Lee, pinning him between the driver's vehicle and another vehicle before the impact threw him several feet.
Officer Lee was transported to SSM Health St. Louis University Hospital, where he succumbed to injuries.
The 24-year-old driver, who was in the United States illegally and was on probation for a domestic battery conviction, was apprehended. He was charged with the DWI death of a law enforcement officer, exceeding the posted speed limit, and operating a vehicle on a highway without a valid license. In 2026, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Officer Lee had served with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department for 18 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-B750FA68- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Lee gave the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the St. Louis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Lee.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer David Lee is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In MO, 516 of 813 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.5% of this state's fallen. That is 9.3 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, 112 of 176 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. David Lee's cause is highlighted.
How David Lee Compares
Offender Outcome
15 years in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. David Lee is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. David Lee was killed by automobile.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
175 officers from St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
