Sergeant Melanie Lee

[lieutenantmidnight]

I knew here when she was a co at Brevard, Very Nice person and hard worker...RIP My friend.

[lwbfl]

Our thoughts are with the families.

Subject: Death of Sergeant Melanie Lee - CFRC

Melanie Lee, who started her career with us at Brevard CI lost her life in a senseless act of Domestic Violence today, 8/2/09 on sr 46. We are deeply saddened by this cowardly and senseless act. At Brevard, Melanie was a great team member, a dedicated mother and an Officer who was always there to support and assist anyone in a time of need. I am sure she carried that with her to CFRC when she promoted to Sergeant as well. Melanie was 37 years old. This incident can be followed at www.facebook.com/l/;www.floridatoday.com

Please keep the family of Melanie Lee in your thoughts and prayers as we all share in this tragic loss.

Thanks friends,
Keith Kiser

[iamme]

Both my husband and I have known Melanie since she was promoted to sergeant and came to CFRC...she will terribly missed by all. She was a great person to work with and know. She was a lovely lady with great spirit.....I simply cannot believe someone as alive as Melanie is gone from this earth. That she was a victim to such violence tears at the soul and I pray that someone is there with her children as they try to go on without their mother. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Does anyone know when and where services will be?

[Sassy]

Rest in Peace Melanie! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family! I knew her just a little, but I can say she was a very nice and considerate person.

[Sassy]

Jail Trainee Accused Of Killing Girlfriend
Monday, August 03, 2009 4:37:52 AM
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Corrections Officer Killed
Reported By Saul Saenz

GENEVA -- The Seminole County Sheriff's Office says one person was killed in an officer-involved shooting in Geneva.

State corrections sergeant Melanie Lee, 37, was pulled over for speeding on state Road 46 early Sunday morning. Still wearing her uniform, she told the deputy she was picking up her boyfriend, Jeffrey Thomas, 45, at the John E. Polk correctional facility.

According to the Seminole County Sheriff's Office, around 7:30 a.m. Sunday, Lee picked up Thomas at the facility where he had been a trainee for two months.

On the way home, witnesses saw the truck pulled over on the side of the road and Thomas and Lee were outside the vehicle talking.

One eyewitness noticed that Thomas was pointing a gun at Lee. When Seminole County sheriff's deputies arrived, they found Lee lying dead on the ground. The deputies asked Thomas to put down his gun and put his hands in the air. He did not comply, and deputies shot him.

Thomas was airlifted to Orlando Regional Medical Center where he is in critical condition.

Officials say the weapon Thomas was holding was not department issued.

Deputies say Lee and Thomas were in an intimate relationship and had just recently moved in together in Titusville.

[swamprat]

that is really tragic. for anyone to lose thier life at the hand's of another is senceless not to mention domestic. how can you even think of taking the life of someone you say you love. prayer's be with the family and friend's. i don't know anyone at cfrc but know i'm thinking of you all in my prayer's.

[co1]

From the Family at SFRC we are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of a fellow Officer in such a horrific manner.

[Warren]

Link to obit and guest book for Melanie

www.legacy.com/gb2/default.aspx?bookid=6348092605347

[sgtdjvee]

My Prayer's be with the family and friend's and fellow Co workers,

[patman44]

[Mr Hat]

I don't know her, but still sorry for the loss.

[cwiz]

prayers go out to the family for strength

[Warren]

Jail guard gets 25 years for shooting girlfriend dead along State Road 46

Rene Stutzman, Orlando Sentinel
2:16 p.m. EST, December 6, 2010


SANFORD – A former Seminole County jail guard, charged with fatally shooting his live-in girlfriend alongside State Road 46 one morning as motorists drove by, on Monday pleaded no contest to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Jeff Lane Thomas, 46, of Titusville, had been charged with first-degree murder, which carries a minimum sentence of life in prison.

He was working as a guard at the Seminole County Jail, had just gotten off his shift Aug. 2, 2009, when his girlfriend, Melanie Lee, 37, a prison guard at the Department of Corrections Central Florida Reception Center, was shot to death.

The Seminole County Sheriff's Office reported that a passing motorist saw the shooting.

Lee was more than an hour late to pick up Thomas at work.

Assistant State Attorney Jim Carter on Monday said that Thomas repeatedly phoned Lee that morning, angry that she wasn't at the jail to pick him up.

She was in Titusville and raced to Sanford to get him but was pulled over for speeding.

After she finally got to the jail, the pair headed for home and was driving east on State Road 46 when their truck went off the road and got stuck, Carter said.

Motorists saw Thomas and Lee sitting on the tailgate together, then one witness reported hearing a gunshot and seeing Lee fall over.

Deputies arrived on the scene and tried to talk to Thomas without success. They shot and critically wounded him.

He had worked at the Sheriff's Office as a corrections officer just over two months. He had previously worked at the Florida Department of Corrections for five years.

Rene Stutzman can be reached at [e-mail] or 407-650-6394.