05/19/2026
While today marks 19 years since the loss of Officer Lee Newbill, he will always be remembered for his selfless service to our department and our community.
Before joining MPD, Lee was a commissioned officer in the United States Army, where he served for 10 years before being honorably discharged in 1992, with the rank of Captain. He was a dedicated family man, married with three children. Lee joined the Moscow Police Department on March 1, 2001, and attended the 130th Session of the Idaho Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Academy, graduating June 15, 2001.
Lee was killed in the line of duty in the early morning hours of May 19, 2007. He was rushing to aid deputies and dispatchers who were taking fire at the Latah County Sheriff's Office, located within the City of Moscow. The gunman who took Lee’s life also took the life of his wife, Crystal Hamilton, and Paul Bauer, the caretaker at the First Presbyterian Church of Moscow. He also wounded a Latah County Sheriff’s Deputy. Lee’s last words to his partner were to tell him to take cover, as they came under fire that night. His service and sacrifice have left a lasting impact on our department and the citizens of Moscow.
Every Moscow Police Department Officer now wears a patch with an image of a clock tower with the time set to 1:49, Officer Newbill’s badge number, and our local Fraternal Order of Police: Lodge #149, in named Lee’s honor. The community gathers for the Officer Newbill Kids Safety Fair on the first Saturday in June, an event that was renamed for him, as it was near and dear to Lee’s heart.
Though time passes, we pause each year on this day to honor Officer Lee Newbill’s unwavering service and the ultimate sacrifice he made to protect his community.