The body of a missing Texas police chief who fell overboard while on a fishing boat was recovered Sunday morning, the U.S. Coast Guard said.
Kemah Police Chief Chris Reed was on the boat with his wife in Galveston Bay on Friday afternoon when it was hit by a wake of a passing vessel.
His body was found about 8 a.m. a mile and a half north of the Texas City Dike in Texas City, the Coast Guard said.
Reed’s wife remained on the boat and was not injured. He was not wearing a life jacket at the time, Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Caren Damon told reporters.
Kemah is on Galveston Bay about 40 miles from Houston.
Coast Guard crews searched more than 650 square miles over some 40 hours.
About 40 vessels, including 15 from the Coast Guard, searched for him, the Coast Guard said in a statement. An aircrew and a team of drones—along with 12 state, local and federal agencies—were involved in the search effort, said Tom Munoz, emergency management coordinator for Texas City.
Our continued thoughts & prayers go out to CCISD Trustee Chris Reed & his family as rescue responders continue to search for him after a boating accident yesterday. He’s a champion for children & a beacon of light for CCISD & our local community. We remain hopeful of his return. pic.twitter.com/9Hjz9dhAcl
— Clear Creek ISD (@ClearCreekISD) June 8, 2019
“Number one, he’s just a great cop, just to start off with. He’s been in this county a long time, working for several different agencies,” said Texas City Police Chief Joe Stanton. “We’re a tight-knit group. He’s one of ours. And, we’re out there and we’re gonna find him.”
At the time law enforcement agencies searched for one of their own, Kemah residents gathered at the Veterans Memorial Stadium on Saturday night to support his loved ones.
A vigil will be held tonight at 6 p.m. CCISD Veterans Memorial Stadium for Chris Reed. Details below. pic.twitter.com/uBV9SxxTsZ
— Clear Creek ISD (@ClearCreekISD) June 8, 2019
In addition to his career as a police officer, Reed was a retired Army paratrooper and is on the Clear Creek Independent School District board, according to KPRC.
His wife, Jana Reed, and their children Chase, Logan and Alexis, thanked those who searched for him and offered them love and strength.
40 vessels at scene of search for Kemah police chief who went overboard https://t.co/aAf1MffCaD #KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/Qqq3SwdjxZ
— KPRC 2 Houston (@KPRC2) June 8, 2019
“Chris Reed is a friend to everyone, a husband, brother, a son, a mentor, a protector, chief and a coach. But within each of those roles, Chris is always a connector,” the family said in a statement to the affiliate.
“He connects people to create synergy and greater good. The power of connection tonight, paired with faith, hope and love is what Chris would expect from this community if he were in this stadium tonight.”
It’s been 24 hours since the Coast Guard began the search for Kemah Chief of Police Chris Reed who fell from his boat into the water near Texas City Dike. Officials says they’ve searched 350 square miles and still no signs of Reed. @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/XjgKbkOAsj
— KPRC2 Sally Mamdooh (@KPRC2Sally) June 8, 2019
