Cedar Park Officer laid to rest

Leonard Reed, a police officer for the City of Cedar Park, who died on duty last week, was laid to rest Wednesday in a very well attended service held at one of the county's largest churches, Hill Country Bible Church, located near Lakeline Mall along RM 1431.   Officer Reed died while in training for a new role at the police department.  He was participating in a motorcycle officer training course, and was fatally injured in a traffic accident in Cedar Park. Officer Reed was chosen in 2008 by his fellow officers as the "Officer of the Year."  He was a veteran of the US Navy and served as a Cedar Park police officer for four years.   He is survived by his wife, Cynthia, and two sons.  Cedar Park Police Chaplain Roger Wilson delivered a moving eulogy about Officer Reed and his generous spirit and loving heart.   CPPD Chief Henry Fluck and Mayor Bob Lemon offerred condolences to Officer Reed's family.  A former student from Vista Ridge High School in Cedar Park, where Officer Reed served as a School Resource Officer, spoke of his love for the students there and the encouragement he gave to others.

 Following the funeral service, a large contingent of uniformed officers from the county, region and state stood at attention as the casket was carried to the hearse. Then, hundreds of police and civilian vehicles escorted the hearse to the cemetery located near Pflugerville.   Along the route, fire trucks and other public safety vehicles stopped on the overpasses and saluted the hearse as it passed by.

Many uniformed members of the Cedar Park Police Department, Cedar Park Fire Department, Williamson County Sheriff's Office, Williamson County Emergency Services, Williamson County Constable's Offices, Austin Police Department, Georgetown Police Department, Leander Police Department, Leander Fire Department, Round Rock Police Department, Round Rock Fire Department, and more attended, assisted and participated in the ceremony.  

A well attended visitation and viewing was held at The Chapel of the Hills Funeral Chapel in southwest Williamson County on Tuesday evening.   As is customary, his fellow police officers and other law enforcement officers stood guard over the body at the funeral home and at the church as a sign of respect.

The Central Texas 100 Club, whose mission is to "lead the community in providing financial assistance and support for the families of first responders who are seriously injured or killed in the line of duty, and to provide resources to enhance first responders' safety and welfare," is accepting donations for the family.  One hundred percent of the donations are tax free and can be made by going to http://www.100clubcentex.com.

(The opinions and observations in this column are mine and do not represent those of any other person or organization.)