Lee Reed

Lee was born August 27, 1954 in Abilene, Texas to Curtis and Frances (Carothers) Reed. He grew up in Uvalde and San Antonio, graduating from Winston Churchill High School in 1972 and was on their baseball team. He returned to Abilene to attend Hardin-Simmons University. Lee graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and Political Theory in 1976. He was working on his master's degree in criminal justice at HSU at the time of his death.

Lee always had a caring heart for children from his time as director of the Wagley Unit of the Abilene Boy's and Girl's Club while pursuing his undergraduate degree. After graduating, Lee joined the Abilene Police Department. He spent one year on patrol and was then promoted to the Youth Division and Missing Persons Unit. He would spend his entire career in that division doing what he loved.

While in the Division, Lee saw a need for legislative action dealing with missing persons and unidentified individuals. He, along with then Lt. Melvin Martin, authored and were able to get the Texas State Legislature to pass and fund the Texas Missing Persons and Missing Children's Act. This act formed the Texas Missing Persons Clearinghouse within the Texas Department of Public Safety and provided the legal definition of a missing person or child. In the following years, Lee authored several state legislative acts that were passed into law, including the Interference with Child Custody.

Lee was involved with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children since their inception in 1984. Anyone who met Lee would know of his passion for the National Center within five minutes. He was one of their first outside instructors. He co-authored several publications for them including The Endangered Runaway, Infant Abductions, Long-Term Missing and The Investigator's Guide to Missing Children Cases. He continued his work with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children by being a part of Team Adam as a consultant. Lee became an expert in the field of searching landfills for missing persons. He was an instructor for the Institute of Criminal Justice Studies, Texas State University for over 20 years. Lee was a member of NecroSearch International. He served on several boards of directors for non-profit organizations in Abilene. He will be remembered for caring for all the children and working tirelessly to improve their quality of life.

Lee was proceeded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 42 years Cheryl (Craig) Reed, daughter Lindsay Reed (Javier Gutierrez) of San Antonio, brother and sister-in-law, Scott and Creta Reed of Allen, nephew Kyle Reed (Amanda Reed) of McKinney, uncle and aunt Bob and Jenny Carothers, and numerous cousins.

A graveside service will be 2:00 PM on Friday, May 24, 2024 at Elmwood Memorial Park, 5750 Hwy 277 South, Abilene, Texas.

Lee lived and believed: "You may strive to walk with Kings but kneel to help a child."