Roll of Honor
Incident
Special Deputy Lee and Special Deputy Jim Daniels were shot and killed in a gun battle with local miners during a strike at the Black Mountain Coal Company.
From Febuary to June in 1931 numerous confrontations erupted between coal miners, mine guards and law enforcement at the Black Mountain Coal Company in Evart. On April 17, during one of these confrontations, Special Deputy Jessie J. Pace of the Harland County Sheriff's Department was shot and killed. On May 5th several deputies were sent to the area to disperse the strikers who were clashing with non-union workers. No one knows who fired the first shot, but when the smoke cleared Deputy Daniels, Deputy Lee, a miner, and another man lay dead. An undetermined number of miners that were left dead and dying were carried off into the mountains. Governor Flem D. Sampson sent 370 national guardsmen to restore order. By mid June the strike had collapsed.
Six men were eventually arrested and charged with Deputy Daniels' and Deputy Lee's murder. All six were found guilty of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.
Special Deputy Sheriff Lee, On today, the 90th anniversary of of your death I would just like to say thank you to you and your Partner for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Harlan County.
R.I.P. USBP
Anonymous United States Border Patrol May 5th, 2021
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-KY-282E4619- Stewardship
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- 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.
Special Deputy Sheriff Lee served with the Harlan County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Harlan community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Deputy Sheriff Lee.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Deputy Sheriff Arthur 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 KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 22.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Harlan County Sheriff's Office, 36 of 36 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. Arthur Lee's cause is highlighted.
How Arthur Lee Compares
Offender Outcome
Six sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Arthur Lee is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Arthur Lee was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
35 officers from Harlan County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
