Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Eric Lee was shot and killed as he and two other tactical officers attempted to aid a citizen.
Officer Lee and his partners were on a special patrol in the Englewood neighborhood when they spotted a man being beaten in an alley in the 6300 block of South Carpenter Street. They rushed to assist the victim and announced they were police. One of the fleeing assailants unexpectedly opened fire, striking Officer Lee in the head.
Several suspects were apprehended and held for questioning. The shooter was charged with the murder of a police officer. On January 23rd, 2004, Officer Lee's killer was found guilty of first-degree murder and he was subsequently sentenced to life in prison. On November 22nd, 2005, following many continuances, the Cook County Criminal Court judge denied subject's motions for a new trial.
Officer Lee was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and had served with the Chicago Police Department for nine years. He had volunteered to be a tactical officer, an especially dangerous line of police work. He had passed up his once-every-month options to “bid out” of Englewood for easier duty in a less stressful district. Friends said he liked the people of Englewood and enjoyed the uphill struggle to make their lives safer. Officer Lee became the fourth tactical officer to be shot to death in Chicago in two years.
He is survived by his wife, 6-year-old daughter, parents, two brothers, and sister.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, 6-year-old daughter, parents, two brothers, and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-5734DCFA- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Eric. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Police Officer Lee gave the Chicago Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Eric D. Lee served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Police Officer Eric D. 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 IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 9.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Chicago Police Department, 396 of 571 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Eric D. Lee's cause is highlighted.
How Eric D. Lee Compares
Offender Outcome
Life sentence
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Eric D. Lee is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Eric D. Lee was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
570 officers from Chicago Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
