Veteran. Leader. Protector.
Chris Lee was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. He has spent his whole working life in uniform, most of it right here in the Tri-Cities and Franklin County.
The road to Franklin County
Chris graduated from East Valley High School in Yakima in 1996 and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps the next year. After his honorable discharge, he came home to central Washington and started a law enforcement career that has run through nearly every corner of the Tri-Cities.
- 1996
East Valley High School
Graduated in Yakima, Washington.
- 1997
United States Marine Corps
Served from 1997 to 2001 and was honorably discharged.
- 2001
Hanford Patrol
Security Police Officer II, 2001 to 2003.
- 2001
Yakima County Sheriff's Office
Reserve Deputy, 2001 to 2003.
- 2003
Pasco Police Department
Police Officer, 2003 to 2006.
- 2006
Richland Police Department
Sixteen years, 2006 to 2022, rising from patrol to command.
- 2018
FBI National Academy
Graduated with Session 273.
- 2022
Connell Police Department
Chief of Police, 2022 to today.
- 2025
Lourdes Hospital Board of Trustees
Appointed to help guide the hospital's mission and strategy.
Chris Lee is a former member of the United States Marine Corps. Use of Chris Lee's military rank, job titles, and photographs in uniform does not imply endorsement by the Marine Corps or the Department of Defense.
Every job on the beat, and the ones above it
Over a law enforcement career of more than twenty-five years, Chris has served as:
- Patrol Officer
- Field Training Officer
- Detective
- Proactive Anti-Crime Team
- Metro Drug Task Force
- Instructor
- K9 Handler
- SWAT and Bomb Incident Commander
- Public Information Officer
- Drug Court Liaison
- Sergeant
- Lieutenant
- Captain
- Commander, Benton County Emergency Services
- Chief of Police
along with many other assignments.
A lifelong student
Chris holds an AS in Exercise Science from Lionel University and a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies from Liberty University. In 2018 he graduated from the FBI National Academy, Session 273.
He holds first-level supervision, middle management and executive-level certifications from the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, received the FBI-LEEDA Trilogy Award for his dedication to leadership development, and is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success.
Rooted in the community
Chris is a member of the Franklin County Republican Party Central Committee, where he serves as executive secretary and legislative liaison, keeping Franklin County residents informed about the policies coming out of Olympia. He is a proud member of the NRA and the Franklin County Farm Bureau.
In 2025 he was appointed to the Lourdes Hospital Board of Trustees.
Memberships
- International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)
- Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC)
- FBI National Academy Associates, Washington chapter (FBINAA)
- National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA)
- Fraternal Order of Police (FOP)
- National Rifle Association of America (NRA)
- FBI-LEEDA
- The National Society of Leadership and Success
- Franklin County Republican Central Committee, Legislative Liaison Chair and Executive Secretary
- Franklin County Farm Bureau
Family
Chris and his wife Julie have been married since 2006. They have three children, a son-in-law and a grandchild: Merisah, Jessica, Isaac, Kyle and little Kameron.
When he's off duty you'll find him with family, camping, woodworking or out in the community.
Put a Lee sign in your yard
Request a sign, volunteer, or tell Chris what matters to your neighborhood.