He was born in Lancashire, England on Christmas Day, December 25, 1830.

Lees was first hired by the San Francisco Police Department in 1854 and promoted to captain in 1858.

He served continuously forty-seven years, retiring in January 1900.

It was Captain Lees who founded the Rogues Gallery, using his own money to make the original collection of pictures.

He died on December 21, 1902, in San Francisco, California, president of the Veteran Police Association.