Patrolman Lewis Burdette "Bud" Lee

Lewis Burdette "Bud" Lee

Patrolman Bud 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 Blanchester Police Department for only 9 months. He was survived by his wife, son, father, and stepmother.