Hayward Police Department, California
End of Watch: Saturday, June 29, 1974
Age: 46
Tour of Duty: 4 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Assault
Date of Incident: June 29, 1974
Weapon Used: Person
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 5 years
Jailer Robert Reed was assaulted and strangled to death by an inmate who attempted to escape from the Hayward City Jail, at 22738 Mission Boulevard, at approximately 7:30 am.
The prisoner had been let out of his cell to call a bondsman. After he hung up the phone he attacked Jailer Reed, knocking him to the floor. The man then strangled him and stuffed toilet tissue into his throat. A janitor discovered Jailer Reed's body and alerted other officers.
During the confusion as officers tended to Jailer Reed the inmate escaped through a side door. He was captured minutes later. He was convicted of second degree murder and subsequently sentenced to five years in prison.
Jailer Reed was a U.S. Navy veteran and had served with the Hayward Police Department for four years.