PHOENIX — Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Detention Officer Gene Lee has passed away Wednesday evening from injuries sustained in an attack by an inmate at the Lower Buckeye Jail near 35th Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road on Tuesday.
Governor Doug Ducey has ordered flags to fly at half-staff at all state buildings today in honor of Officer Lee.
Officer Lee’s attacker has been identified as Daniel Davitt. Davitt was in custody pending charges involving the sexual assault of a child.
Earlier Wednesday, Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone said Officer Lee, a 6 year veteran of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, was the victim of an unprovoked attack and was choked and thrown to the ground. Officer Lee was knocked down, hitting his head on the floor.
Officer Lee underwent surgery Tuesday to help relieve excess blood and pressure on his brain. However, he had not regained consciousness since the attack.
Arizona mourns the loss of MCSO Detention Officer Gene Lee, whose life was taken far too soon. In honor of Officer Lee’s life and service, I’ve ordered flags at all state buildings today be lowered to half-staff. @mcsoaz pic.twitter.com/iiqd33uXZF
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) October 31, 2019
Davitt has been transferred to the Pinal County Jail and faces additional charges.
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