10/14/2026
In Memory of Reserve Lieutenant Lee E. Sawyer
EOW: October 14th, 1960
On October 14th, 1960, Reserve Lieutenant Lee Sawyer, assigned to Lakewood Station, sustained serious injuries when his patrol car collided with another vehicle in the intersection of San Jose Avenue and Compton Boulevard (now Somerset Boulevard) in the City of Paramount. Emergency personnel transported Lieutenant Sawyer to St. Helenâs Hospital in Downey where he died upon arrival.
At the time of his death, Reserve Lieutenant Sawyer, 51, resided in the City of Long Beach with his wife, Helen Marie. He was also survived by a daughter and two sons.
Lee Sawyer was born in Bigfork, Montana. He served as a Sheriffâs Reserve Deputy for nine years and was the first deputy to die in the line of duty working at Lakewood Station.