ST. LOUIS – Fellow officers and the family of fallen officer David Lee gathered for an emotional balloon release in his honor just before his final farewell Friday evening at the North Patrol.
The evening started with prayer and remarks from David’s family and friends. Dozens of red balloons, which was his favorite color, floated into the sky representing the deep love and respect felt by those whose lives he touched.
“I just went to go view his body, and he looked good—oh, he looks amazing…I told him, ‘We getting ready to send you up all your red,’ and I was like, ‘Be looking out for the red balloons, cause that’s us sending it up to you,'” David’s wife, Tonya Lee, said.
The growing memorial around his patrol car of flowers, mementos, and personal items tells the story of a community in mourning.
“David was the strong silent type. He was very quiet around the office but I would see him from his roll calls when he would come and go from work. I know that he really loved his job,” Major Joe Morici with St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department added.
Chief Robert Tracy added, “He would want the service to continue because that’s who he was, and that’s why it’s a big loss for us.”
Officer Lee was killed on Sept. 22 while working a crash site on eastbound Interstate 70 near Grand Boulevard. He was struck by 24-year-old Ramon Chavez-Rodriguez, who was allegedly driving drunk.
“This young man, I forgive him. I really do. From the bottom of my heart, I hope that once he comes out of whatever his life turns with, I pray that he clears his mind and gets to know the Lord because the Lord will forgive him as well,” Tonya said.
David leaves behind his wife, two children, his mother, and his sister.
