Valdosta Police Department, Georgia
End of Watch: Tuesday, January 24, 1984
Age: 27
Tour of Duty: 6 years
Badge Number: 720
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: January 24, 1984
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Patrolman Lee Crews was shot and killed during a struggle with a burglary suspect.
He had responded to a local restaurant for a burglar alarm on Ashley Street and observed a person flee the scene. He chased that person into a nearby parking lot, and a struggle ensued. The perpetrator gained control of Patrolman Crews' service weapon and shot him.
The man fled to Detroit, Michigan, where he was captured. He was returned to Georgia, where he was sentenced to life in prison.
Patrolman Crews was a United States Army veteran and had served with the Valdosta Police Department for 6 years. He is survived by his wife, two sons, two brothers, and two sisters.