Officer Edward Everett Reed, Jr.

Officer Edward Everett Reed, Jr.

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police Department, California

End of Watch Sunday, February 21, 1993

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Edward Everett Reed, Jr.

Officer Edward Reed was killed when a drunk driver ran a red light and struck his patrol car at the intersection of 42nd Street and Central Avenue.

The impact pushed the patrol car into a utility pole. Officer Reed was the passenger and was killed instantly. The drunk driver fled the scene on foot but was apprehended by members of the Los Angeles Police Department. He pled guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to seven years in prison.

Officer Reed and his partner were returning to the transit police headquarters from the Rail Central Control Facility at the time of the incident.

Officer Reed was assigned to the Bus Operations Bureau. He had originally been a member of the Southern California Rapid Transit District Police Department, which at the time of his death, was undergoing a merger with the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission to form the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. In 1997 that agency was merged into the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department and the Los Angeles Police Department.

Officer Reed, who had also served as a U.S. Army military policeman, was survived by his parents, fiancee, and two sisters.

Bio

  • Age 29
  • Tour 2 years
  • Badge 19477
  • Military Veteran

Incident Details

  • Cause Vehicular assault
  • Weapon Automobile; Alcohol involved
  • Offender Sentenced to seven years

drunk driver

Most Recent Reflection

View all 26 Reflections

It saddens me that it has taken over 30 years to discover these kind and loving words about Ofc. Reed. Although I never met Edward in person I have thought about him many times since the day he died and my Bailiff showed me the article in the newspaper.
I was the judge who made the decision to release Alfredo Martinez from custody pending his arraignment on a first time DUI the day before he crashed into his and Ofc. Waterman’s patrol car.
If any friend or relative of Edward is still seeking closure for such a tragic death I hope my explanation and expression of personal pain helps.
It’s also important for my closure to state upon reflection at the time and even til today the decision was within all court guidelines and appropriate based on the arrest report and record of the defendant.
Again, I am so sorry for all the pain his passing has caused.
Gary

Hon. Gary Bindman (Ret.)
Los Angeles Superior Court

December 30, 2023

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