Marshall County – Monday, August 3rd, marked the 20th anniversary of the death of Indiana State Police Motor Carrier Inspector Ralph “Ray” Reed. Sunday afternoon dozens of friends, colleagues, and family members gathered on a hillside, where Reed lost his life in 1995, for the dedication of a newly refurbished roadside memorial that was erected in his honor.
The ceremony took place on US 30 just east of Oak Road, in Plymouth. This is the location where Master Motor Carrier Inspector Reed stopped to inspect a semi-tractor trailer and was struck and killed by an oncoming semi-tractor trailer that was hauling cattle. Reed was the first Indiana State Police Motor Carrier Inspector killed in the line of duty.
The recently refurbished roadside memorial was made possible through generous donations from P&S Concrete of Plymouth and Ozinga Ready Mix Concrete. Bremen Post Master Trooper Kevin Kubsch contacted P&S Concrete owner Andy Sheely about helping refurbish the memorial when Sheely offered to donate all of his labor for the project while Ozinga Ready Mix donated the materials.
Kubsch spoke at the dedication remembering Reed saying, I was here on that terrible day and we lost a great man. The Indiana State Police will never ever forget the sacrifice that Ray Reed made.
The dedication closed with a prayer and the presentation of a wreath by former ISP troopers, Dave Latimer and Bob Ruff that was donated by Plymouth FOP #195.
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