David Lee, fallen SLMPD officer, funeral Oct. 5

As the region continues to mourn the death of St. Louis Metropolitan Police Officer David Lee, has family has announced his arrangements.

A visitation for Lee will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday Oct. 5, 2024, at Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church, 5515 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive St. Louis, 63112.

Lee’s funeral service will begin at 1 p.m. at Friendly Temple. At his family’s request, there will be no internment service.

Lee, 44, was struck by a vehicle at 8:30 p.m. Sunday Sept. 26 while responding to an accident on eastbound I-70 near the Grand exit. He later died from his injuries.

Ramon Chavez-Rodriguez, 24, of St. Peters, Mo., is accused of hitting Lee.

Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore announced on Monday that Chavez-Rodriguez is charged with DWI death of a law enforcement officer, a felony, exceeding the posted speed limit and operating a vehicle on a highway without a valid license.

Gore also said during a press conference that Chavez-Rodriguez is not a U.S. citizen and had an immigration status hearing set in October. 

His immigration status “does not have an impact on our assessment as to whether or not he’s an individual who is a flight risk or poses a danger to the community, and whether or not he’s someone who should receive a bond,” Gore said.

St. Louis Circuit Judge Catherine Dierker has since revoked Chavez-Rodriguez’s bond.

Rodriguez was on supervised probation for a domestic battery conviction in 2022. St. Charles County prosecutors have filed a motion to revoke his probation, according to court records.

St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones honored the fallen officer in a statement.

“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,” she said.

“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.” 

SLMPD Chief Robert Tracy called Lee “a devoted husband and father of two.”

“The city of St. Louis changed on Sunday. I met with Officer Lee’s family and reassured them that the men and women of SLMPD will always be by their side. The Lee family is grateful for the outpouring of support.

“We will never forget Officer Lee. His sacrifice is a guiding light for each of us – who now carry on his mission to serve and protect.”

 Tracy asked fellow officers to “please keep an eye on each other. Our department is hurting — and as we mourn our fallen brother, support resources are available to assist.”