DA Bob Lee Loses Battle with Cancer

Flag To Be Lowered This Friday, Church Memorial Saturday

Santa Cruz County District Attorney Bob Lee passed away peacefully Saturday morning October 18 after a courageous battle with cancer. Lee, who was elected Santa Cruz County District Attorney in 2002, died at his home after spending an evening with family and friends, according to Chief Deputy Jeff Rosell.

“It is with the deepest personal sorrow and sadness that we said goodbye to our great friend and leader, Bob Lee,” Rosell said. “Bob was a dedicated, passionate prosecutor who gave every ounce of his talent and energy to serving the people of the community in which he was born and raised,” Rosell said.

Lee first began his service to the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s office as an intern while still in law school. Lee began his career as a prosecutor in 1985 in Monterey County before joining the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office in 1988, where he worked as Assistant District Attorney for 14 years. He was also a member of the Special Prosecution Unit, Supervisor of the Preliminary Hearing and Superior Court Felony Team, and lead attorney in charge of Child Molestation and Adult Sexual Assault Prosecution.

As District Attorney, Lee partnered with other agencies to create and promote specialized task forces including the Gang Task Force and the Elder Abuse Task Force. Lee also developed and enhanced specialized units within the DA’s office to prosecute gangs, sex offenders, elder and domestic violence abusers, as well as consumer protection and environmental cases.

“Among Bob’s many gifts was his incredible talent as a trial attorney,” Rosell said. “Bob tried many of this county’s most high profile cases and was never afraid of a challenge in the court room. He took great and justifiable pride in never having lost a trial in Santa Cruz County and used his considerable experience to mentor younger prosecutors, including me,” Rosell added.

A native of Santa Cruz, Lee was the youngest of four brothers. Lee obtained his Bachelor of Science in Public Administration in 1980 from the California State University at Sacramento, graduating with honors and his Juris Doctorate in 1984 from the University of Santa Clara. His wife, Barbara, who survives him, is an Assistant Division Director at Santa Cruz County Probation Department.

In a letter released on October 8 in which Lee revealed to the public that his fight with cancer had forced him to step down from his office he said, “As I prepare to leave the greatest job that any person could ever have, the inevitable sadness will be softened by the timeless memories of the personal relationships that my wife Barbara and I have developed with so many of you in our community. Nothing could hold greater value for me.

It has been the great honor and privilege of my life to have served as District Attorney of Santa Cruz County. I thank you for having given me that opportunity. God bless you all.”

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Honoring Santa Cruz County District Attorney Bob Lee, a flag-lowering ceremony  will take place at 8 a.m. Friday, Oct. 24, at the Santa Cruz County Superior Courthouse, 701 Ocean St., Santa Cruz. A memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at Twin Lakes Church in Aptos, 2701 Cabrillo College Drive. Both events are public.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Jeff Rosell said the events would “honor my friend” and pay tribute to Lee’s life and work.

Zach Friend, chairman of the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors, said that he intends to nominate Rosell at the board’s Nov. 18 meeting as District Attorney. Lee had made it known that he wanted Rosell to succeed him as district attorney.

The appointment would be until June 2016, when a two-year term for District Attorney will be placed on the ballot. For the next General Election in 2018, candidates will compete for the full four-year term.