Sep 13 2015: It was only 4 minutes before shift change when the call came in. A man was calling for help as he clung to the edge of a large irrigation canal on the North end of Atwater, Ca. Police Officer Ken Lee was first on the scene, followed moments later by another officer.
The man was quickly found, but unconscious in about 6 feet of fast moving water, the officers were having trouble reaching him from their side of the canal and time was critical. So, Lee (6’7″) dropped his gun belt and entered the canal. He lifted the man into the arms of the second officer, who pulled the victim to safety. Paramedics arrived just as the man was being extricated. They started CPR, but fortunately he started breathing on his own. As a normal precaution in drownings, the individual was transported to the local hospital for observation.
Lee is shown on the right in his Honor Guard uniform. 
Officer, Lee didn’t have much to say about the rescue, except it was great to see the man was going to be okay.
In his 15 years of service the veteran officer has racked up numerous commendations for his exemplary police work, life saving, and acts of valor. Lee has spent most of his police career working in Stockton where he said it was “cops and robbers” almost every day. He has been on Atwater PD for about a year and Lee says he enjoys the slightly slower pace of a smaller department.
Officer Lee is a former Chico resident, a graduate of the Butte College Police Academy and the son of Jack Lee of Chico, a retired police detective.
When I saw the name I thought hummm….. I wonder.
Great son you have there Jack. You must be so proud and to have him follow in your profession is the ultimate compliment.
Thank you Peggy and yes I am very proud of him. He’s a real good person and a smart cop. What worries me is he always seems to be at the right place at the wrong time, its uncanny. I guess for cops you could call this good luck, but for a parent…its not so great.
I’m talking about these one in a million kind of situations that shouldn’t happen, but do and he’s always falling into it. Like the time he was simply trying to take a short coffee break with a couple of his detective pals. Then the bank right next door gets robbed – silent alarm goes out. In a few minutes he would discover there’s three black males, all armed. He guesses which way they are most likely going to run. The two plain clothes detectives coordinate with him and they took up the other possible escape route. My son sets up, waits for them to come running, and sure enough… it all ended well, but what are the odds of that? A few months ago and not far from this bank they had another bank robbery. It didn’t go so good. In fact, it wound up in a hostage taking, a big chase and shootout because the bad guys spotted the cops. Hundreds of shots were fired, one hostage was killed…real tragic.
After all of the vitriol aimed at cops lately its great to read something that uplifts police officers. They work every day to serve the people and often at great risk. That Ken is your son is no surprise, Jack, the old acorn…
Thank you Tina.
That’s an awesome story and great to hear that a local from our own Butte academy is doing such a good job!
I remember when he was a little kid, and we called him Buzzy. I was his Godfather, before the movie.
Well, as they often say, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree”. Great article and as I am sure, your a proud Dad, and deservedly so. Not only just for this, but how high you raised your Son to be.
Speaking of high, where does the 6’7″ come from 🙂
Thanks Harold. I’m the smallest guy in the family, well, not weight wise, but height! lol