Body of missing Texas police chief is found after he fell overboard while on a fishing trip with his wife two days ago
- The body of 50-year-old Kemah Police Chief Chris Reed was found early Sunday
- Reed hadn't been wearing a life jacket when a huge wave caused by a large passing boat knocked him into the water shortly after 4pm Friday
- The Coast Guard mobilized both sea and air search-and-rescue units to find him
The body of Kemah Police Chief Chris Reed (above) has been found two days after he fell overboard during a fishing trip with his wife in Galveston Bay on Friday
The body of a Texas police chief has been found two days after he fell overboard during a fishing trip with his wife.
Chris Reed, 50, wasn't wearing a life jacket when a huge wave caused by a large passing boat knocked him into Galveston Bay on Friday.
His body was recovered just before 8am local time on Sunday following a widespread search by the US Coast Guard.
His wife, Jana Reed, and their children Chase, Logan and Alexis, thanked search and rescue crews for all of their efforts and for offering the family love and strength.
Coast Guard Lt Cmdr Caren Damon said in a news conference Saturday that all traces of Reed vanished shortly after 4pm.
Reed's wife called 911 immediately, telling dispatchers that she'd just seen her husband fall overboard north of the levee.
'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.
The Coast Guard mobilized both sea and air search-and-rescue units to find Reed
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'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.
Reed's family thanked search crews for their tireless efforts to find the father-of-three (above)
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 to find Reed even after all signs disappeared.
The 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.'
Officers with the University of Texas System Marine Unit are seen leaving the boat ramp to search for Reed at the Texas City Dike on Saturday
