Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Jailer George Taylor Reeves

Shelby County Sheriff's Office, Tennessee

End of Watch Tuesday, November 30, 1920

Leave a Reflection

Reflections for Jailer George Taylor Reeves

101 years later your legacy lives on through your grandchildren , great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren.

Janet Marie Reeves Cooley
Granddaughter

November 30, 2021

Jailer Reeves,
On today, the 100th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Shelby County. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

November 30, 2020

I appreciate the rememberance of my grandfather George Taylor Reeves. He was killed by the leader of the "Dandy Bandit"gang, Art Hamilton, who was killed the next day down in Winona, Montgomery County, Mississippi.
After 10 years with the Memphis police department's Barksdale mounted station, George Taylor took the job as jailer for the Shelby County Jail. The job provided room and board, he and his family lived on the third floor of the jail and his wife Claudia Bell (memaw) fixed the meals for the prisoners.
Three of the members of the gang had met with their attorney and George Taylor was preparing to escort them back to their cells when Hamilton pulled a gun. My grandfather wrestled the gun away from Hamilton and shot him in the knee as he was running for the front door. Alda Shaw handed Hamilton a second gun with which he shot George Taylor in the stomach. George Taylor died at St. Joseph Hospital.
My grandmother later became matron of the jail and my dad went on to become sheriff of Shelby County and therefore became his mother's boss.
George Taylor Reeves would have be proud of how his wife and children lived their lives.

Ed Reeves, Jr.
Grandson

January 4, 2015

As a descendant of George Reeves, I thank you for remembering a man who laid down a legacy of service to his community. His sons and grandsons went on to fill various leadership roles throughout Shelby County law enforcement and administration including Chief of the Child Support Bureau, and Shelby County Sheriff.

Jeff Bostick
Great Grandson

December 6, 2014

Thank you so much for remembering my great grandfather. When he passed, he left his wife to raise 5 children all under the age of 10. The oldest, Ed Reeves, grew up to be Memphis Chief of Police and Shelby County Sheriff. He passed away in 1958 while he was still sheriff.

Rachel Reeves VanKirk
Great-grandaughter

May 15, 2013

Your heroism and service is honored today, the ninety-first anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, PPD, eow 4/24/05

November 30, 2011

Rest in piece. Your service and sacrifice will not be forgotten.

Sgt. G.T. Martin
Collier Co. S.O. (FL)

May 27, 2010

Rest in peace hero

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

November 30, 2007

Thank you for your service.

Trooper

November 12, 2007

85 years later and you are still remembered. Rest Easy.

Sgt. Faith Cunningham
Shelby County Sheriff's Office

February 13, 2006

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