Temecula CHP Officer Voted American Legion's Officer of the Year

News release:

CHP Officer Shane Lee, of Temecula, was voted this year's American Legion "Law Enforcement Officer of the Year" (for Valor).

Officer Lee—selected for his actions involving a shoot out with a fleeing parolee who was armed with a hand grenade—was honored June 28 at the American Legion's State Convention held in Palm Springs.

Lee's heroic work took place during a brief pursuit in the San Jacinto area. The fleeing driver crashed at an intersection, exited his disabled pickup and began shooting at Officer Lee. Lee returned fire, but when the driver's gun was empty, the driver activated a hand-type grenade and threw it in the direction of the officer. Fortunately, the grenade detonated without harming anyone. During this distraction, Officer Lee rushed the driver and subdued him. 

After receiving a standing ovation from everyone in the convention room, Officer Lee was gracious in his acceptance speech. He attributed his training and 16 years on the job with helping him avoid serious injury. Officer Lee's wife, Maddie, and their four children, sat proudly in the front row during the awards presentation.

Officer Lee and his wife are graduates of Temecula Valley High School, they reside in the community, and he serves as an elder and youth counselor in his church.