Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Bruce Lee was beaten to death with his service baton after responding to a domestic disturbance call on Avenida Velazco Street, in La Quinta, at 09:40 am.
The call involved reports of an emotionally disturbed man attempting to break into his parents' home. Deputy Lee became involved in a struggle with the suspect and was beaten. Deputy Lee suffered severe head injuries from the attack.
Deputy Lee's backup officer arrived on the scene and found Deputy Lee unconscious. The suspect then began to approach the backup officer with the baton. The suspect refused to drop the baton and was shot and killed. Deputy Lee was transported to Desert Regional Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries approximately two hours later.
Deputy Lee had served with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department for 22 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, parents, and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-2038B215- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
22 years. You could have gone home.
Deputy Sheriff Lee gave the Riverside County Sheriff's Department 22 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Riverside community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Lee.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Bruce Kevin Lee is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,756 officers honored here.
In CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 53 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Riverside County Sheriff's Department, 12 of 27 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 44.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Bruce Kevin Lee's cause is highlighted.
How Bruce Kevin Lee Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Bruce Kevin Lee is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Bruce Kevin Lee was killed by blunt object; baton.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
26 officers from Riverside County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
