Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Jake Reed and Corporal Ben Cooper were shot and killed after responding to a disturbance call at a shopping center in the 400 block of Geneva Avenue at about 1:20 pm.
While he and another officer attempted to take a subject into custody the man opened fire on them, critically wounding both. The man then stole one of the officers' services weapons and a patrol car. He continued firing at pursuing officers until crashing near the intersection of E 9th Street and Connecticut Avenue.
The man then took cover behind a van and opened fire on a third officer who was still inside of his cruiser, severely wounding him. The man continued shooting at other responding officers until being fatally wounded by return fire.
Corporal Cooper and Officer Reed were transported to a local hospital where Corporal Cooper was pronounced dead a short time later. Officer Reed remained in grave condition for several days until it was determined that he could not recover. He remained on life support until his organs could be donated on March 11th, 2022.
Officer Reed had served with the Joplin Police Department for five years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-5A03D09A- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Reed gave the Joplin Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Joplin community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Reed.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Jake Alexander Reed is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In MO, 516 of 813 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.5% of this state's fallen. That is 9.3 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Joplin Police Department, 17 of 21 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 81% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Jake Alexander Reed's cause is highlighted.
How Jake Alexander Reed Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Jake Alexander Reed is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Jake Alexander Reed was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
20 officers from Joplin Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
