Wade Lane Lee Jr., a 31-year-old police officer from Fayetteville, NC, was found dead on January 27, 2019. His death was caused by an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Lee, who had served in the Marine Corps for four years before becoming a police officer, was facing criminal charges involving a juvenile at the time of his death. The Fayetteville Police Department received a criminal complaint against him on January 25, 2019, and the Youth Services Unit had started a criminal
investigation. The Internal Affairs Unit also began an internal investigation. Warrants for Lee's arrest were obtained, but they were withdrawn following his death.
Lee's death occurred in the median of Interstate 95 in Wilson County, NC. The State Bureau of Investigation was asked to investigate his death. The SBI confirmed that Lee's death was caused by a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The Fayetteville Police Department initially did not reveal Lee's identity to avoid "revictimizing" the person who reported the allegations. Lee had been a police officer since August 2009.
Lee's obituary mentioned that he was born in 1987 and had served his community and country with dedication. He was survived by his wife, Stephanie Lee, and their two children, Joel and Anjanette Lee. Lee's death was a significant loss to his family and the community he served. The circumstances surrounding his death and the criminal charges he faced remain a topic of investigation and discussion.
