Mason District Station Gets New Commander

There’s a new commander in town, but he’ll be familiar to any longtime Annandale residents or those who have attended a . Capt. Gun Lee is the new commander of the Mason District Police Station.

Lee, a Chantilly resident and George Mason University graduate, served as the assistant commander of the Mason District Station at the first lieutenant rank from January 2010 until February 2011 according to Maj. Ted Arnn, former commander of the Mason Station. Arnn was promoted to major last month at the same time Lee was promoted to captain.

Lee has been a member of the Fairfax County Police Department since the early 90s, but law enforcement was not his first career choice. “I was sure I was going to be either an accountant or a consultant,” said Lee. During his senior year at Mason where he studied accounting, he took a job as a project accountant in Tysons Corner. He soon realized the job wasn't a right fit and decided to pursue his interest in law enforcement.

During the 80s and 90s in Korea, Lee said being a police officer wasn’t considered a noble position. His family was surprised by his choice, but they were supportive. “I think after a while what they knew what this profession was all about, that it was very different from what they were exposed to back in Korea,” said Lee.

Lee was sent to the United States in 1998 with his sister by their parents so they could receive a better education. Lee used gestures to communicate upon arrival to the country because he had yet to learn English. He eventually moved to Philadelphia, PA a place that has special meaning for him because it was there he discovered, “what America is all about.”

“[Philadelphia] was a good learning experience for me. Although it was a rough neighborhood, I loved the culture. I loved the honesty I love the sincerity of the folks. I hung out with a mixed group of people and it was the best time I had,” said Lee. “The majority of the people I hung out with were Americans. I think that made a big difference. I was able to pick up the language in a decent time. I was able to understand and accept the culture much better,” said Lee.

Lee recounts his time in Philadelphia as one of assimilation. He remembers socializing with mostly Americans and was able to pick up the language and culture cues that way.  

Years later, he moved to Northern Virginia and in 1992, he applied to several law enforcement agencies as far away as Los Angeles, CA. The Fairfax County Police Department was the first to respond and Lee happily accepted the opportunity. “It was the best choice I ever made,” said Lee.

Read part two of our interview with Capt. Lee here.