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Ariz. CO dead after inmate assault

Detention officer Gene Lee was choked and thrown to the ground

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Duty Death: Gene Lee - [Phoenix]

End of Service: 29/10/2019

Corrections1 Staff

PHOENIX, Ariz. — A Maricopa County corrections officer has died after being attacked by an inmate.

ABC15 reports detention officer Gene Lee was the victim of an unprovoked attack on Tuesday morning while at the Lower Buckeye Jail in Phoenix. He was choked and thrown to the ground, knocking him unconscious.

https://twitter.com/mcsoaz/status/1189761439935815681

Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone said during a press conference that Lee underwent surgery to relieve pressure and blood in the brain, but did not regain consciousness after the attack.

https://www.facebook.com/ABC15/videos/1414249152059965/

The suspect, Daniel Davitt, was in custody for pending charges of sexual assault of a minor. He will now face additional charges in Lee’s death, ABC15 reports.

Lee served with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office for six years. He is survived by a wife and two children.

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