Chief J. W. Lee was born in Frankfort, Kentucky, but moved to Raleigh in his 30s.  He became Chief soon after he settled, and served for five years, from 1875 to 1880.  When he first arrived, Lee was part of the law firm of Wynne, Yancy & Co., which dissolved in April of 1875. In November, he was elected Chief of Police, with James S. Parham as assistant.  The force at this time consisted of fourteen additional policemen.
After he left office, he worked for the American Tobacco Company, travelling to California and then to Australia, China, and Japan.  When he retired, he returned to Raleigh and invested in two cotton mills as well as other companies.  He died in October of 1904 and was buried in Oakwood Cemetery.