Blanchester Police Department, Ohio
End of Watch Friday, September 30, 1949
Add to My HeroesLewis Burdette "Bud" Lee
Patrolman Lee was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a 16 year-old juvenile who had just kidnapped a 13 year-old girl at gunpoint. The boy told the girl's 8 year-old sister to run home and then he took the girl to a dark area behind a church at the corner of Center Street and Wright Street.
When the girl's sister got home she told her mother what happened and the mother immediately called the police. Patrolman Lee responded to the area and located the boy as he was attempting to rape the girl behind the church. Patrolman Lee grabbed the boy, who pulled out a .22 caliber handgun as he tried to get away. He fired three rounds from the gun before it jammed. As he continued to struggle he was able to clear the jam and fired three more rounds, this time mortally wounding Patrolman Lee.
The suspect hitchhiked his way to Wilmington where he was located and arrested. He had recently been released from a reform school after serving nine months for robbery. He was convicted of Patrolman Lee's murder and sentenced to life in prison on January 20, 1950. He received an additional 1 to 20 years for attempted rape. He was in prison in 1969.
Patrolman Lee had served with the agency for only 9 months. He was survived by his wife, son, father, and stepmother.
Bio
- Age 47
- Tour 9 months
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Handgun; .22 caliber
- Offender Sentenced to life
Most Recent Reflection
View all 9 ReflectionsNEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Patrolman Lewis Burdette "Bud" Lee of the Blanchester Police Department, Ohio and the additional 76 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.
Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation
September 30, 2021
Recent LODD Deaths

Deputy Sheriff Marylin Mayo
St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office, LA
EOW: September 21, 2023

Police Officer Darrin McMichael
Arlington Police Department, TX
EOW: September 21, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Ryan Clinkunbroomer
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: September 16, 2023

Governmental Affairs Liaison Michael Elaine Griffin
Mississippi Department of Public Safety, MS
EOW: September 4, 2023

Police Officer Kevin Cram
Algona Police Department, IA
EOW: September 13, 2023

Deputy Sheriff II Auston Smith Reudelhuber
Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, NC
EOW: September 9, 2023

Detective Robert Garten
Hartford Police Department, CT
EOW: September 6, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Matthew Pierson
Shelby County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: August 29, 2023

Sheriff Robert Daniel Rodgers
Wilcox County Sheriff's Office, GA
EOW: August 29, 2023