Well known Sheriff in very serious condition

**kjlaw** · 09-30-07, 06:29 PM

Jefferson Parish Sheriff Harry Lee was hospitalized Sunday and is in very serious condition, JP Deputy Chief Newell Normand announced during an afternoon news conference.

WWL-TV
Harry Lee - FILE PHOTO

Lee was reportedly having breathing problems and was rushed to Ochsner Medical Center Sunday morning.

Normand said Lee's family is at his side and he is heavily sedated.

Harry Lee had returned to the metro area, but was scheduled to return to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center – where he has been receiving treatment – on October 8 to discuss the next course of action regarding his treatment.

Doctors in the Houston area have been on the hunt for possible bone marrow donors for him, after finding out his brothers and sisters were not suitable donors.

Lee had said, however, doctors found 28 possible matches.

Lee first announced he had leukemia back in April. He went into remission in June, but announced in August it had returned.

Lee has received treatment for his cancer at both the Stanford Cancer Center and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

**cajunguy** · 09-30-07, 07:05 PM

For those not familiar with Sheriff Lee, he has been Sheriff of Jefferson Parish (LA) since 1979. That's 28 years, gang.

Prayers sent up.

.

**Twan007** · 09-30-07, 07:26 PM

prayers sent - Sheriff Lee is one of the good ones... very good ones

**bufford408** · 09-30-07, 07:30 PM

28 years is unheard of for a Sheriff. He must be a good one.

**mavriktu** · 09-30-07, 07:43 PM

Know him well,he is one cantankerous SOB,and extremley well loved for it.He makes sheriff Joe look like a woosey when it comes to handling the press and standing behind his people.Many prayers-code 3.

**dapples** · 09-30-07, 07:57 PM

Prayers going up for a great man and awesome LEO...One thing about Sheriff Lee..you always know where you stand and what he feels is the right thing to do, pc or not.

**chris2001** · 09-30-07, 08:56 PM

Get well in a hurry Lee. Your people and those that wish we worked for you want you to get back to doing what you do best.

**Pudge** · 09-30-07, 11:59 PM

Thoughts and prayers sent.

**lewisipso** · 10-01-07, 01:43 AM

That man is both myth and legend. I have had the pleasure of meeting him several times.

**Jenna** · 10-01-07, 04:59 AM

Best wishes for his recovery.

**kjlaw** · 10-01-07, 09:27 AM

Harry Lee is type of Sheriff that people eighter love or hate.

It is great to hear a sheriff tell the media, public or civil right groups whatever is on his mind regardless of the pc why to say it.

**BigDawg** · 10-01-07, 09:39 AM

Prayers for a safe and fast recovery.

**Cidp24** · 10-01-07, 09:46 AM

I've met him, he's 100% old school, exactly what you would expect from a strong southern sheriff. Great man.

Get well soon, Sheriff!

**bufford408** · 10-01-07, 09:46 AM

Originally Posted by kjlaw

Harry Lee is type of Sheriff that people eighter love or hate.

It is great to hear a sheriff tell the media, public or civil right groups whatever is on his mind regardless of the pc why to say it.

The title "Sheriff" or "Chief" tends to poison a persons mind. It's great to see someone like this person. I wish for a speedy recovery.

**kjlaw** · 10-01-07, 12:35 PM

UPDATE:

At 1044 today Sheriff Harry Lee Passed away.

Rest in Peace Sheriff

**armsmaster270** · 10-01-07, 12:41 PM

Thoughts and prayers from CA I lived for 3 years in LA

**kjlaw** · 10-01-07, 12:50 PM

Here is the Bio of Sheriff Lee.

Harry Lee was born in the back room of a Chinese laundry in downtown New Orleans. He lived in a single room with his mother, father, two older sisters, two younger sisters and a younger brother.
The Lee family got out of the laundry business during World War II and opened a restaurant and bar. Typical of Chinese families, Harry's father required all the children to work and while attending grammar school, he was required to take a bus and work after school and all day Saturdays and Sundays. This tradition of hard work is the basis for Harry Lee's success.
While in grade school, he was elected president of his class and president of the student body. In high school, he was the only person in the forty-year-history of Francis T. Nicholls to serve both as Senior Class President and Student Body President. When he graduated from high school, he received the American Legion Award as the outstanding male graduate.
Harry Lee received a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from Louisiana State University. He was inducted into the Geology & Mining Society, an honor society for geology students, lettered in tennis and was designated an outstanding ROTC Cadet.
After receiving his degree from LSU, Harry entered the Air Force and, as a Junior Officer in the Strategic Air Command was rated in the top two percent of Junior Officers in the entire Air Force.
Returning home from the service, Harry's family opened the famous House of Lee Restaurant in the year 1959. Because of his leadership abilities, Harry was elected president of the New Orleans Chapter of the Louisiana Restaurant Association in 1964. His fellow restaurateurs credit his leadership for the peaceful integration of restaurants in New Orleans after the enactment of the Civil Rights Act in 1964.
When his younger brother finished college, Harry told his father he would like to obtain a law degree. His father said, as long as he did his share of the work, what he did on his own time was "ok" with him. Working 72 hours a week managing the family restaurant, Harry received a Law degree, was elected President of the Loyola Student Bar Association and was inducted into the Blue Key National Honor Fraternity.
After just a few years of law practice, Harry was the first United States Magistrate to be sworn in for the Eastern District of Louisiana in 1971. His leadership abilities were again recognized and he was elected President of the National Council of United States Magistrates in 1973.
When Harry Lee visited the People's Republic of China as a member of the Boggs/Ford Delegation in 1972, it was determined he was the first American of Chinese Ancestry to be officially invited to the people's Republic of China since 1959. Harry Lee recognizing the need for a strong military service, joined the National Guard in 1961 as a 1Lt and retired in 1987 as the Assistant Adjutant General for Air with the rank of Brigadier General (La). Harry Lee presently serves as the Commander of the Louisiana State Guard with the rank of Major General (La).
After resigning from the office of United States Magistrate, Harry was appointed as Parish Attorney for the Parish of Jefferson, State of Louisiana, and in 1979 was elected Sheriff of Jefferson Parish. Harry was re-elected in 1983, 1987, 1991, 1995,1999, and again in 2003.

Special Awards:
April 9, 1983 - Baltimore, MD
1983 RECIPIENT OF AMVETS SILVER HELMET AMERICANISM AWARD
"Americanism Award presented to Mr. Harry Lee, Sheriff, Parish of Jefferson, Louisiana, in grateful; recognition of unselfish promotion of patriotic interest, activities and values, thus providing an inspiring example of the kind of American Citizenship that made this nation great."
July 1, 1998 -
RECIPIENT OF THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF COMMUNITY AND JUSTICE FIRST ANNUAL FOUNDER'S AWARD

"First Annual Founder's Award presented to Sheriff Harry Lee for his dedicated support of "Anytown U.S.A.", a unique summer institute program that offers multi-cultural human relations training to high-school students, in the greater New Orleans area, who represent diverse racial, religious, ethnic and economic backgrounds."
September 27, 1998 - Atlanta, Georgia
RECIPIENT OF AWARD FROM THE FOUNDATION FOR IMPROVEMENT OF JUSTICE
"Award presented to Sheriff Harry Lee for his superior management of the Sheriff's Office. His Department is known nationally for providing the five-minute response time for calls, for over 90% solution of murders and for an overall reduction in crime during his 18 years."
May 20, 2000 - West Haven, Connecticut
RECIPIENT OF HONORARY DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF LAWS BY THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAVEN
"Degree conferred to Sheriff Harry Lee in recognition of his distinguished career in public service."
January 27, 2001 - Winnfield, Louisiana
INDUCTED INTO THE LOUISIANA POLITICAL HALL OF FAME