He was a compassionate police officer who knew everyone in town, friends say.

Capt. Richard Lee, 77, a former member of the Iowa City Police Department, died at his home Monday of cancer.

Lee worked for the Iowa City Police Department during the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Iowa City created the annual Richard W. Lee Award in his honor after he retired. The award is given to police officers for outstanding service.

"He was one of the most compassionate son of a guns you would ever want to see," said former Iowa City Mayor Tim Brandt. "One of the things that made him a good police officer was that he knew everybody in town."

On his beat, Lee encountered many rowdy teenagers and college students. He would rather straighten out problems than make an arrest, many said.

"He grew up in a day and age when on Friday nights the bars would be full and fights would break out," said Johnson County Supervisor Pat Harney, a retired police officer. "And he would always be there to quell things. He would talk to them, reason with them and tell them how things are."

Because of his dedication to the job and his even-handed demeanor, Lee earned the respect of those around him, his friends said.

"We all thought Dick Lee was a great guy," said Brandt, who added that Lee was always chomping on a cigar while solving cases but would never actually smoke them.

"He had a heart of gold," said former Iowa City Police Chief Pat McCarney.

Described as an "old-fashioned police officer," Lee would often give students warnings and follow up with phone calls to their parents when they were in trouble.

"He understood that young kids would be young kids," Brandt said.

Lee, who for years served as the late night commander, was an asset to the department, his colleagues said.

"He was one of the best," said former Iowa City Police Officer Emmett Evans.

Off the job, Lee was also involved with activities at St. Patrick's Church.

"He was a fixture at the 6 o'clock Mass as an usher," Brandt said. "He would greet everyone as they came in and made everyone feel at home."

Funeral services for Lee are pending.