Keith Lee

Sergeant Keith Lee was a member of the Ithaca College Police Department for 25 years. He was on temporary disability from a knee injury while playing basketball. He died by suicide June 1, 2005. Keith was born on January 24, 1957 in Bainbridge, NY and was a 1976 graduate of Bainbridge-Guilford High School. He went on to serve his country in the US Air Force and after his discharge he attended Tompkins-Cortland Community College. He received his associate’s degree in Criminal Justice. He relocated to Virginia and joined the Roanoke County Sheriff’s Department. He later retuned to NY and in 1980 began working for the Ithaca College Campus Police. He was promoted to sergeant in 1986. In April of 1999 he was presented with the Frank Hammer Officer of the Month Award by the Ithaca Kiwanis Club, which cited him for his leadership in the Office of Public Safety and his service to the campus community. He earned the IC Choice Award in 2003 for his work in helping establish the College’s Emergency Response Plan. Sergeant Lee was highly respected by the entire Ithaca College community. He also worked several summers as an officer with the New York State Park Police. Keith was a devoted husband, father, son and brother. He loved spending time with his family. During his free time he enjoyed watching his kids play sports (he never missed any of his children’s activities), playing basketball and running.