Gene Lee: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know – Heavy.com

Maricopa County Sheriff OfficeOfficer Gene Lee

Gene Lee was a detention officer in the Maricopa County Sheriffs Department in Arizona for six years before he was killed in the line of duty.

Lee passed away on October 30, 2019, one day after officials say he was attacked by an inmate at the Lower Buckeye Jail. Lee was 64 years old. He leaves behind a wife and two children.

The inmate accused of killing Lee was identified as Daniel Davitt. Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone explained that Davitt has been in custody for more than two years on sex charges involving children.

Heres what you need to know.

Gene Lee was attacked by inmate Daniel Davitt on Tuesday, October 29, Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone explained during a news conference.

Sheriff Penzone said that there was no interaction between Lee and Davitt before the attack. The inmate is accused of grabbing Lee by his throat and sweeping his legs out from under him, seemingly without any provocation or warning.

Sheriff Penzone said that Lee was thrown to the ground. His head was slammed into the concrete floor, knocking Lee unconscious.

Lee was rushed to Banner University Medical Center. Dr. Paul Dabrowski explained that Lee suffered a traumatic brain injury. Doctors performed a procedure to remove the blood and pressure from around the brain.

But Lee never woke up. He passed away the following day. The news conference embedded above took place a few hours before Lee was declared dead.

Gene Lee was a Detention Officer for six years, but he was involved with the department long before he was sworn in as an officer. Sheriff Penzone noted that Lee had served as a volunteer with the Maricopa County Sheriffs Office while he was still working in his previous career.

Lee was a Posse member. According to departments website, the volunteer Posse consists of non-compensated positions made up of people from all walks of life who want to assist law enforcement as a way to give back to their community. They contribute their varied skills and interests to one goal; support the Maricopa County Sheriffs Office. Posse branches train for many support functions to include: Search and Rescue, Crime Scene Security, Patrol Support, Administrative Assistance, Civic Functions, Disaster Relief, and Emergency Details.

Sheriff Penzone did not mince words when describing the threats that detention officers like Gene Lee face every day on the job. Hours before Lee passed away, the sheriff talked about how the community is aware of the risks that officers on the street face, but stressed that the officers in the jails are putting just as much at risk.

Sheriff Penzone said that the detention officers are expected to manage a population of people who have made bad decisions and, quite frankly and directly, bad people who are violent and wish to do harm with anyone whose paths they cross.

He added that officers are trained to use the least amount of force possible even when facing a violent situation and that detention officers should receive more thanks for the work that they do.

Arizona Governor Doug Ducey ordered all state buildings to fly the flags at half-mast on October 31 to honor Gene Lee. The governor said in a statement:

As a six-year veteran of the Maricopa County Sheriffs Office, Lee put his life on the line to ensure the safety of his fellow citizens and officers. Our hearts go out to the entire Maricopa County Sheriffs Office and our prayers are with Officer Lees family and loved ones.

Daniel Davitt was first arrested on April 20, 2017. According to inmate records on the Maricopa County Sheriffs Office website, Davitt had the following charges pending against him:

Davitt was immediately transferred out of Maricopa County following the attack on Gene Lee. Inmate records confirm he was moved to the Pinal County jail system on October 30.

Maricopa Sheriff Penzone explained during a news conference that his office was committed to assisting prosecutors in their case against Davitt to ensure that we not only convict him but that he sees the longest sentence practical. The sheriff described Davitt as a criminal predator with no respect for authority, for human life or for the community.

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Gene Lee: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know - Heavy.com