Jake Reed

Police Officer Jake Reed of the Joplin Police Department in Missouri was shot on March 8, 2022. He was responding to a disturbance call at a shopping center. Another officer, Corporal Ben Cooper, was also shot. They had attempted to take the subject into custody when he opened fire on them, inflicting critical wounds. Corporal Cooper was pronounced dead at the hospital. Officer Reed remained in grave condition for several days until it was determined that he could not recover. He remained on life support until March 11, 2022, when his organs were donated in a final act of service to others. He was 27 years old and had been a member of the Joplin Police Department for five years.

Reed was born in Pleasanton, California, and grew up in Bentonville, Arkansas. His parents were Robert and Melissa Reed and he had a younger brother, Sam. Reed’s dream from a young age was to be a police officer. He graduated from Bentonville High School where he was a gifted athlete, playing baseball all four years. He met his future wife, Bayley Strella, as students at Missouri Southern State University. Reed graduated in 2017 with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration and an associate’s degree in Law Enforcement. He joined the Joplin PD immediately following graduation. He married Bayley in May of 2021. After Reed’s death, Bayley gave birth to their biological child, Charlie, in December of 2023. Truly a miracle child and a blessing to Bayley and Reed’s extended families. Reed was known for his compassion and his caring ways. In 2019, he saved a young woman from attempting suicide by jumping off a bridge. That bridge now bears his name.

Police Officer Jake Reed is survived by his loving wife, Bayley, son, Charlie, parents, Robert and Melissa, brother, Sam, and many cherished family members.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation has provided the Reed family with a mortgage-free home through the Fallen First Responder Home Program.