Kemah police chief Chris Reed honored with 21-gun salute, procession

LEAGUE CITY, Texas – It was a somber day in League City, Kemah and across the Houston area.

Kemah Police Chief Chris Reed was laid to Friday morning, a week after he disappeared into the waters just north of the Texas City Dike on June 7.

Officials said Reed was in a boat with his wife when a larger vessel came by and caused a wake that hit their boat, causing Reed to go overboard.

The Coast Guard, along with multiple agencies, searched through the weekend. Texas City police confirmed Reed’s body was found two days later in the area where he went overboard.

Friday at the Clear Creek Community Church, the community held a memorial service for the Kemah Police Chief.

"The amount of people here today and outside is only a testimony to the lives my father has touched. The impact he made and the love he's spread wherever he went," said Chris Reed's daughter, Logan Reed, as she addressed the hundreds of people in the church.

Reed was a retired Army paratrooper, a former city manager for League City and Nassau Bay and he was a mixed martial arts fighter. Authorities said Reed was also on the school board for Clear Creek Independent School District.

"He put his light out there on every corner," said Greg Smith, superintendent of Clear Creek ISD.

Reed was known in the community, but to his wife, two daughters and son, whom he leaves behind, he was their protector and friend.

"Imagine the brave police officer playing round after round of the game "Pretty Pretty Princess," always let me, his princess, win," said Logan Reed, fondly remembering her father.

Many at the service shared stories by painting a vivid picture of who Chris Reed was.

"If we gave Chris one brick -- just one brick, in one week, he would be the president of the Mason's Union. He would have engineered a new method for laying bricks. That is now the new industry standard ... he would be on the board of directors for ACME brick company," said Richard Rennison, honorary pallbearers. 

Reed's wife, Jana Reed, had her friend read to the visitors' words of thanks. Jana and Chris Reed were high school sweethearts. 

"Thank you to everyone for your caring and gracious thoughts," the friend read for Jana.

Following the memorial service was a public procession to honor Chief Reed in his last ride.

The procession traveled from FM-270 to Highway 96. Then turned north on Highway 146 and passed in front of the Kemah Police Department and Kemah City Hall on its way to NASA Road 1, before it returned to the Clear Creek Community Church.

Neighbors, first responders and members of the community lined the route to show their support for Reed.

"Wanted to be here to lift up our hearts up, lift our prayers up and just do what we can. As a community, certainly, this has shaken us to our core, and we want to give this man the respect he deserves," Amber Koons, a League City resident.