Tomorrow, the Tampa Police Department, in conjunction with the Tampa Police Memorial Committee, will solemnly mark 90 years since the line-of-duty death of Officer Bryan A. Reese. The ceremony, starting at 11:30 am, will be held at the Monument to Fallen Officers outside the Tampa Police Headquarters, honoring the memory of Reese, as well as recognizing the continued sacrifices of law enforcement officers.
In 1935, Officer Reese, a respected member of the Tampa Police, was involved in a gambling raid. A colleague’s firearm accidentally discharged during the arrest of a suspect, leading to Reese’s untimely death. “Officer Reese had served the Tampa community for nearly nine years,” a tribute noted by the City of Tampa government’s announcement. The loss of Officer Reese, who was 30 at the time of his passing, left behind a wife, a daughter, Emily Joan Reese, and posthumously, a son, Bryan Reese Jr.
An inquest following the incident labeled the shooting as a tragic accident. Reese’s death was the first test of the 1935 police pension law, providing his widow with a monthly stipend and financial support for his children. The Tampa Police Department is now inviting the community to come together to ensure that Officer Reese’s legacy is to not ever be forgotten. The event will pay homage to Reese’s dedication to his duty and the sacrifices of his fellow officers…