Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Darrell Lee suffered a fatal heart attack as the result of being assaulted three months earlier.
He was assisting in the arrest of a violent arson suspect at a warehouse along the railroad tracks between Palm Avenue and 2nd Street when he was punched in the chest. The metal pin on his badge punctured his chest and injured his heart, causing him to suffer a major heart attack. While on medical leave he suffered a second heart attack and passed away on July 24th, 1970.
The subject who assaulted him was charged with battery with injuries to a peace officer.
Sergeant Lee had served with the Rialto Police Department for 12 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three children, mother, and two siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-6A14892F- 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.
Sergeant Lee gave the Rialto Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Rialto community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Lee.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant Darrell Keith 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 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 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Rialto Police Dept., 3 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Darrell Keith Lee's cause is highlighted.
How Darrell Keith Lee Compares
Offender Outcome
Arrested
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Darrell Keith Lee is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Darrell Keith Lee was killed by person.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Rialto Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
