ST. LOUIS – Family, friends and members of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) gathered at Family Temple to lay Officer David Lee to rest on Oct. 5, 2024. 

What You Need To Know

  • Officer David Lee was laid to rest by family, friends and SLMPD on Oct. 5, 2024, with a funeral at Family Temple

  • Lee, 44, died in the line of duty in a car crash when Ramon Arnaldo Chavez-Rodriguez allegedly lost control of his car and pinned Lee against Lee's car

  • Chavez-Rodriguez, 24, waived bail and awaits an Oct. 30, 2024, preliminary hearing for a class B felony

Families, officers and more gathered along Martin Luther King Drive to pay their respect to Lee and his family.

Lee, 44, an 18-year department veteran, was working a car crash involving an off-duty Ferguson firefighter by putting up traffic cones on Interstate 70 on Sept. 22, 2024, when Ramon Arnaldo Chavez-Rodriguez allegedly lost control of his vehicle and struck Lee. During surgery at St. Louis University, Lee was pronounced dead. He leaves behind a widow and two children. 

SLMPD said they’ll always be by the Lee family’s side and “the family is grateful for the outpouring of support.”

Mayor Tishaura O. Jones released a statement following Lee’s passing: “Through his work and his passing, he has left an indelible mark on the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and our City as a whole. I want to thank the SLMPD officers at the scene and the team at SLU hospital for their determination and care in trying to save Officer Lee’s life. Matthew 5:4 tells us ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.’ Our proud city must now come together to comfort Officer Lee’s family, friends, colleagues, and our entire community.”

Chavez-Rodriguez, 24, was charged with DWI-death of law enforcement or emergency personnel and exceed posted speed limit (exceeded by 16-19 miles per hour). With a class B felony, Chavez-Rodriguez waived bail and awaits his preliminary hearing on Oct. 30, 2024.

According to court documents, Chavez-Rodriguez drove 71 mph in a 55 mph zone five seconds before he struck Lee with the rear of his vehicle, pinning the officer against his own vehicle before Lee was thrown several feet.

"We were able establish that he was intoxicated  – we were able to establish that because we got back the blood test, which showed that he was above the legal limit," said St. Louis circuit attorney Gabe Gore. 

According to the probable cause statement, around two hours after the crash, Chavez-Rodriguez’s blood alcohol content tested .10. The legal limit in Missouri is .08. Court documents say he has a prior conviction for DWI and is on probation for domestic assault.

Gore also stated Chavez-Rodriguez’s immigration status is being handled by their federal partners.

"He killed one of our police officers and I want to see justice served," Chief Robert Tracy said.