St. Louis County — Five former St. Louis County police board members and a onetime department superintendent have written to County Executive Charlie A. Dooley, objecting to "recent efforts to remove Chief of Police Jerry Lee from office."

"It's terrible," said Frank C. Bick, vice chairman of the board from 1975-1990, who gathered the signatures on a joint letter. "It's a violation of the law what (Dooley's) doing. ... He's power hungry."

Some county and police officials have claimed over the past few weeks that Dooley is seeking to oust Lee over disagreements involving police pay and other issues. But on Wednesday, Dooley's spokesman, Mac Scott, said that is untrue.

"Jerry Lee is not being fired," Scott said. "If this letter is saying they don't want Lee fired, that puts them in agreement with the county executive."

By county charter, only a majority vote of the board can remove the chief. The county executive names the board, subject to County Council approval.

Dooley has been remaking the board. Two of the five members were removed in January. Calzona J. Hall and John Saracino were tapped as replacements, but their approval has been stalled in the council.

Bick, former superintendent (chief) Gil Kleinknecht, former chairman Brainerd LaTourette Jr. and three others signed the letter, dated Jan. 25.

It states, in part, "...we strongly urge you to stop this interference in the operations of the St. Louis County Police Department."

LaTourette, chairman of the board from 1978-90, said Wednesday, "Once (Dooley) gets a board of his own, unless they have a backbone, they'll cave to him."