Desperate search continues for Texas police chief missing for nearly 24 HOURS after he went overboard on fishing boat without a life-jacket
- Chris Reed, 50, wasn’t wearing a life jacket when a huge wave caused by a large passing boat knocked him into the water on Friday afternoon
- Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Caren Damon said in a news conference that all traces of Reed vanished shortly after 4:00pm
- Authorities pledged that ‘for as long as we believe he is viable on the surface,’ crews would continue their searches throughout the night and into the morning
- The Coast Guard mobilized both sea and air search-and-rescue units, but now sign of Reed has been found as of Saturday morning
A desperate search was launched by the Coast Guards of Kemah, Texas, on Friday afternoon after a local police chief vanished after being knocked overboard a fishing boat.
Chris Reed, 50, wasn’t wearing a life jacket when a huge wave caused by a large passing boat swept him from his pleasure craft and knocked him into the water of Galveston Bay.
Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Caren Damon said in a news conference that all traces of Reed vanished shortly after 4:00pm.
Reed’s wife called 911 immediately, telling dispatchers that she’d just seen her husband fall overboard north of the levee.
Scroll down for video
Chris Reed, 50, wasn’t wearing a life jacket when a huge wave caused by a large passing boat swept him from his pleasure craft and knocked him into the water of Galveston Bay
The Coast Guard mobilized both sea and air search-and-rescue units, but now sign of Reed has been found as of Saturday morning
‘Large boat came by and knocked her husband off the boat,’ a dispatcher said. She hasn't seen him since.’
Dozens of agencies responded to the call, including members of the Texas City Police Department and the Coast Guard.
Damon pledged that ‘for as long as we believe he is viable on the surface,’ crews would continue their searches throughout the night and into the morning.
Share this article
‘Chief Reed is a big, big part of Galveston County law enforcement,’ Texas City Police Chief Joe Stanton said on Friday night.
‘I want to thank all of the agencies that have responded -- the response has been overwhelming -- and our hearts and prayers go out to the family.
‘We're a tight-knit group here and he's one of ours, and we're out there and we're going to find him,’ Stanton added.
Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Caren Damon pledged that ‘for as long as we believe he is viable on the surface,’ crews would continue their searches throughout the night and into the morning
Reed’s wife called 911 immediately, telling dispatchers that she’d just seen her husband fall overboard north of the levee
The Coast Guard mobilized both sea and air search-and-rescue units, but now sign of Reed has been found as of Saturday morning.
Reed, a father-of-three and an Army veteran, has served as Kemah police chief since 2016 and is a trustee for Clear Creek Independent School District, where his wife is a teacher.
‘Chris Reed is a champion for children and a beacon of light for CCISD,’ the district said in a statement. ‘He is a strong man and we remain hopeful he will return to his wife and children.’
Stanton called Reed ‘a great cop.’
‘He was a big part of Kemah and everything they were accomplishing and doing over there. Stanton said at a news conference near the levee. He's one of ours and we're out there and we're going to find him.’
