Harry Lee, sheriff of Jefferson Parish, La., died after a battle with leukemia. He claimed to be the only Chinese-American sheriff in America was 75.
The Chinese-American lawman, the son of Lee and Yip Shee Bing, owners of a New Orleans laundry, now in his seventh term or 27th year in office, has a penchant for putting his foot in his mouth, but it only seems to increase his popularity.
Lee is a former restaurant and tavern owner, former federal magistrate, and former protege of the late U.S. House Majority Leader Hale Boggs. In Jefferson Parish, Lee is well known for his personal Mardi Gras float; outside the parish, he's famous for his mouth.
Late last month, an offhand comment to a TV reporter created a new controversy. "We know the crime is in the black community. Why should I waste time in the white community?" Lee was quoted as saying. The president of the regional NAACP, Donatus King, wasn't buying it. Under pressure, the sheriff said his deputies would not be indiscriminately frisking African-American males. A few days later, the Times-Picayune ran an unscientific poll. The phone calls ran 22 for the NAACP, 789 for Harry Lee.. (Source: John Burnettl npr.org, Oct 2, 2007)