Deputy Sheriff John Edward Lee

John Edward Lee

Deputy Sheriff J. Edward Lee was shot and killed while attempting to arrest five men who were illegally riding atop a coal car.

He and two other deputies approached the men at Lexington Junction in Henrietta. When one of the deputies asked one of the men what was in his pocket the man produced a pistol and shot Deputy Lee before fleeing.

Deputy Lee was taken by train to St. Joseph Hospital in Kansas City where he died several hours later.

The subject who shot him was believed to be the same subject who murdered Detective Sergeant Harry Lemkemeier of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department the previous day. He was shot and killed in October 1922 when detectives attempted to arrest him when he returned to St. Louis.

Deputy Lee served as a special officer with the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad Police Department. He was survived by his wife.