Officer John Lee's civil service file paints mostly positive picture

Lee killed Antronie Scott Feb. 4

SAN ANTONIO – The civil service file of San Antonio police Officer John Lee paints a mostly positive picture of the officer who shot and killed an unarmed man earlier this year.

Since 2010, the annual evaluations of Lee show he met department expectations.

In 2011, Lee's evaluation reflects that he "exceeded expectations" in several aspects.

That 2011 report states Lee "is always professional when dealing with the community" and "demonstrates a vast amount of knowledge with all laws related to his job."

On Feb. 4, Lee shot and killed Antronie Scott in the parking lot of a North Side apartment complex.

Lee was trying to arrest Scott on felony warrants when the shooting happened.

The officer told investigators he thought Scott was holding a gun.

But Scott was unarmed only holding a cellphone.

Lee's civil service file also contains four notices of merit written between 2004 and 2011 commending Lee for "good police tactics, judgment, communication and teamwork" and for "his initiative and investigative instincts."

Also in the file are positive letters written by community members who crossed paths with Lee.

One of them highlights his "professional and courteous manner."

Following the shooting, SAPD Chief William McManus took steps to potentially place Lee on indefinite suspension.

McManus announced last week Lee would not face disciplinary action and would instead be under go additional training.

But the fallout over that possible indefinite suspension continues.

The San Antonio Police Officers Association is currently taking a vote of "no confidence" in McManus.

The voting period for union members ends March 23.

The widow of Scott has filed a lawsuit against the SAPD, the city of San Antonio and Lee.


About the Author:

Myra Arthur is passionate about San Antonio and sharing its stories. She graduated high school in the Alamo City and always wanted to anchor and report in her hometown. Myra anchors KSAT News at 6:00 p.m. and hosts and reports for the streaming show, KSAT Explains. She joined KSAT in 2012 after anchoring and reporting in Waco and Corpus Christi.