Trinity County Sheriff's Office, Texas
End of Watch: Thursday, November 27, 2008
Age: 58
Tour of Duty: 30 years
Badge Number: 401
Cause of Death: Vehicle pursuit
Date of Incident: November 27, 2008
Weapon Used: Automobile
Suspect Info: Not available
Sheriff Brent Lee was killed in an automobile collision while involved in a vehicle pursuit of a hit-and-run and shooting suspect.
His vehicle left the roadway, struck a utility pole and tree, and burst into flames at approximately 4:15 am Thanksgiving morning.
It is believed that wet and foggy conditions contributed to the crash.
Sheriff Lee had been appointed in June to fill an unexpired term and had won the recent election for sheriff. He had recently retired as a lieutenant from the Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission. He is survived by his wife and three grown children.