Michael J. Lee

Portrait of Michael LeeMichael J. Lee

Police Officer Michael John Lee, age 38, died October 7, in a motor vehicle accident in Auburn while off duty. He was an outstanding officer, SWAT operator, and investigator. He will be missed by his family, his law enforcement family, and the community he served.

Michael was born December 20, 1978 in Southbridge, Massachusetts. He is survived by his mother, Dorothea (Scranton) O'Day Sullivan, her husband, Robert, of Bourne; his father, Ken Lee, of Brookfield; two brothers, Shawn Sandgren, his wife, Joann, of Southbridge, and Josh Lee and his wife, Megan, of Chicopee; Stepbrother Michael Sullivan of Del Ray Beach, FL. Stepfather, Ted Geotis, of Webster; his Uncle Raymond Mayo of Brookfield and Michael's girlfriend, Kaitlyn Dibuono, of Webster. Michael also leaves his niece, Emilyrose Marie Sandgren, nephews, Kody and Kaden Sandgren, niece, Jasmine Lee, nephew, Henry Lee, and his cousin, Nathan Ledoux, of Seattle, WA. His Great Aunts, Gail O'Day of Christiansburg, VA, Nellie Wierciocha, of Oakdale, CT. He also leaves behind a large loving family and many friends. His second family, the entire Webster Police Department, Deputy Chief Michael Shaw, Josh Collins, and his SWAT team members. Michael was predeceased by his most beloved grandmother, (Gram) Katherine Scranton, Aunt, Kathleen Fournier, and cousins, Kelly Marie Fournier, Nicholas Ledoux and recently Detective Cynthia Johnson of the Webster Police Department. A mentor to Michael.

He was a 1997 graduate of Bartlett High School where he was Co-Captain of the football team and a member of the basketball team. One of his prized memories of high school was the Thanksgiving Day Game his senior year and winning the game against Southbridge High School. In 1995 he was named a Border Conference All Star. Michael was chosen to play on the Central Mass Football Team in 1997.

After high school he attended Plymouth State College where he was a member of the football team. In June of 2006 He was a graduate of the Massachusetts State Police Academy. He received his associates degree in Criminal Justice from Qunisigamond Community College in 2009. Michael received several citations and awards in his career as a police officer. He was co-owner of Reaper Tactical LLC Firearms Training with Josh Collins.

Mike was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed golfing, skiing, white water rafting, kayaking and bowling with Kaitlyn and most recently sky diving. Michael had a deep love of the ocean and shared a traditional whale watching trip every summer with his Mother.

Michael shared a deep love of family and friends. Michael was a proud, honorable man with a deep sense of righteousness and kindness for all. He left his footprints on our hearts and minds.

Service Information Graphic image of eagle holding a rifle with WPD 1126

A Mass of Christian burial was held 10 a.m. on Thursday, October 12 at:
Sacred Heart Of Jesus Church
16 East Main Street
Webster, MA. 

The family respectfully requested that you go directly to the church. Burial followed at the Brookfield Cemetery.

Calling hours were Wednesday, October 11 from 4 to 8 p.m. at:
Bartel Funeral Home
33 Schofield Avenue
Dudley, MA. 

A law enforcement walk through was held at 3:30 p.m.

Donations

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Cindy Johnson Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o FOP at Webster Police Department 357 Main St. Webster, MA 01570 or the Ledoux - Fournier Scholarship c/o Officer Duane Ledoux, 145 Shore Road, Sturbridge, MA 01566