Officer Jake Reed was 27 when he died on March 11, 2022, after being wounded in a violent confrontation that began March 8, 2022. Reed and other officers responded to a disturbance at a Joplin shopping center; when they tried to take a suspect into custody the man opened fire, striking Reed and Corporal Benjamin Cooper. Cooper later died of his injuries.

The suspect, identified as 40-year-old Anthony R. Felix, stole a police cruiser and led officers on a pursuit that ended in a crash. Felix continued on foot and exchanged gunfire with additional officers; Officer Rick Hirshey was shot and seriously wounded. Captain William Davis fatally shot Felix. Reed was taken to a hospital in grave condition, remained on life support for several days to allow organ donation, and was pronounced dead March 11, 2022. The Missouri State Highway Patrol investigation, later reviewed by the Jasper County Prosecutor, found the officer’s use of force in shooting Felix to be justified and confirmed Felix was a convicted felon not legally allowed to possess the firearm he used.

Does anyone have memories of Officer Reed’s service or information from that day that could shed more light on the timeline?