On March 8, 2022 at about 1:20 pm, Officer Jake Reed and Corporal Ben Cooper were shot after responding to a disturbance call at a shopping center in the 400 block of Geneva Avenue.

After officers arrived on the scene and attempted to take a suspect into custody, the suspect opened fire on them, critically wounding Officer Reed and Corporal Cooper. The suspect stole one of the officers' service weapons and a patrol car. The suspect continued firing at pursuing officers until crashing near the intersection of E 9th Street and Connecticut Avenue.

The suspect took cover behind a van and opened fire, striking a third officer, who was still inside of his cruiser. The suspect who continued to fire on officers was killed by return fire. Corporal Cooper and Officer Reed were transported to a local hospital where Corporal Reed was pronounced dead a short time later. Officer Reed remained in grave condition for several days until it was determined that he could not recover. He remained on life support until his organs could be donated on March 11th, 2022.

Officer Reed had served with the Joplin Police Department for five years. He is survived by his wife.

He is survived by his wife, two sons, brother, and two sisters. Interment: Missouri Veteran’s Cemetery in Bloomfield, MO.

Article by Brent Marchant