Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Ed arrived in Oregon in time for football season in the tenth grade. He was big, strong and a veteran of Plano, TX youth football which made him something fearful. We met across the scrimmage line in our first practice and quickly became fast friends. Ed's family, devoutly Catholic, cared for all of us. Ed was a hard, hard worker with a wry sense of humor who often wore his feelings on his sleeve. He was a person of truth; he didn't like academic nuance. He did like to serve and care for people.

Ed had an infectious sense of humor. He used a myriad of nutty facial expressions coupled with faux naivete to create a constant sense of well-being around him even when he was pinning you to the ground in a wrestling match.

Once during high school, several of us were on a river rafting trip when Ed's boat was caught in a dangerous hydraulic. As the story goes, Ed was reaching out, picking people up by the back of the neck and throwing them back in the boat yelling, "Are you okay, buddy?". I suspect that was only one of many times that Ed saved someone from physical injury or death.

Ed served in the Army before becoming a police officer, and took well to the discipline involved. The police life worked well for him because he was the sort of person you could count on to clean up the mess. When Ed died, the world lost a caring man.

Ed's father reminded our small group of friends to remember Ed as a man of grace and not to be bitter at his death. It is a great testimony to Ed that those who loved him most deeply sought to forgive those who hurt him. Ed wouldn't have let us be bitter; he would have cried as we did. He might even have broken a few things in anger, but he would have forgiven.

We remember.

John Talbott
Not affiliated

May 27, 2005

Ed Reed, my friend and classmate at Rio Hondo Police Academy (Class #107). We were boots together working day watch on our first day out of the Academy, right smack in the middle of the 1992 Los Angeles riots. There we sat two burly Police Officers ordered to dawn our helmets and get into the back seat of our black and white police cruiser. We were both lost in a world of violence and confusion watching the city burn around us. We grew together as cops learning the heart beat of the streets, doing what we loved, protecting others from the criminal element. Ed became an experienced police officer very quickly as had I working on the streets of Los Angeles. We shared a common bond. He came from the Pacific Northwest and my family lived in the Pacific Northwest. Just days prior to his death Ed told me that he had just returned from a trip up north, I couldn't believe it, So had I. We talked about where we had been and learned that on one of the days during our trip we might have passed each other. Well Ed someday our paths will cross again. You were a fine young man with a big heart. You were also one heck of a cop. I can’t believe it’s been over ten years since you were suddenly and tragically taken from us. I think of you and your family often as I’m sure most who knew you do. Keep us safe and watch over us.

Your friend and partner,

Sergeant David A. Gomez
Los Angeles Police Department
Former RTD/MTA Police Officer

Sergeant David A. Gomez
Los Angeles Police Department

March 12, 2004

To the family, friends, and co-workers my heart goes out to you. There is nothing worse than losing someone in the line of duty. Always remember that Officer Reed is in a much better place with otherlaw enf. brothers and sisters. We as survivors of law enf. officers are very lucky to have such wonderful guardian angels. Rest in peace Officer Reed your memory will always remain.

Dana Perot
Survivor and Fiance' of Deputy Joseph C. Rodgers eow 4-9-97

God bless.....Concerned citizens of Jones Co. Mississippi

Anonymous

To Officer Reed family and friends our hearts and prayers go out to you.

God Bless you.

Terry Miyares, surviving spouse
Officer Emilio Miyares, Hialeah PD, FL E/O/W 11/6/1986

OFFICER EDWARD REED #19477

LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
(SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA RAPID TRANSIT DISTRICT)
TRANSIT POLICE DEPARTMENT

Date of Birth: April 16, 1963
Date of Hire: December 9, 1991
End of Watch: February 21, 1993


Officer Ed Reed was killed in the line of duty on February 21, 1993 when his patrol unit was struck by a drunk driver.

Officer Reed joined the Southern California Rapid Transit District (RTD) Police in December of 1991. After attending the Rio Hondo Police Academy, he graduated and was assigned to Uniform Patrol at the then-RTD Police. Officer Reed worked patrol and provided law enforcement service to the patrons and employees of the buses and trains in Los Angeles and it's surrounding counties, and to the public at large.

During early 1993, the RTD was merged with the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission, forming today's MTA. At that time, the RTD Police became the MTA Police. Because of this, Officer Reed is remembered as an officer of the MTA Police Department.

Officer Reed is remembered by his friends as a caring, friendly, and compassionate friend. Although physically large in stature, his friends knew him as a kind and gentle man. Officer Reed was a sports fan, especially of baseball and football. Officer Reed liked going to local games with his friends, particularly for the Anaheim Angels and San Diego Padres. At the time of his death, Officer Reed was engaged to be married.

His name appears on the California State and United States National Memorials for Peace Officers. There is also a memorial for him at the MTA Gateway Building.

Christopher Carson, Police Officer
Los Angeles Police Department