Randy Glen Reed

Randy Glen Reed died of a sudden heart attack on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at the age of 74. He was living in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas. His death was announced in an obituary from A Natural State Funeral Service in Jacksonville, Arkansas, which handled cremation arrangements, and was reported by Talk Business and Politics on November 11, 2026.

He is survived by his wife Terrie, his daughter Bethany Ishee, his son Charles Reed and Charles's wife Lisa, and eight grandchildren: Amelia, Sarah, Martha, Rebecca, Laura and Reed Ishee, and Adam and William Reed, all of Cartersville, Georgia. He was preceded in death by his parents and his son-in-law, Michael Ishee.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Hot Springs Village on Saturday, December 19, 2026, at 1:00 pm, with visitation from 12:30 pm, followed by the Rite of Committal and a reception. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to the Little Rock FOP Foundation, the FSPD FOP College Fund, or Knights of Columbus Council 10208, Assembly 2316.

Randy Glen Reed was born in Phoenix, Arizona, on July 18, 1952, to Everton Glen Reed and Sarah Nadine Reed. He graduated from Alhambra High School in Phoenix in 1970. On November 19, 1971, he married his lifelong friend Terrie Gunnels, beginning a marriage of almost 55 years that would take the couple to Arkansas.

After high school at Alhambra High School (class of 1970), Reed continued his education while working as a police officer in Little Rock. He graduated from the FBI National Academy, the FBI's leadership program for senior law enforcement officers, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Park College and a Master of Science degree from the University of Arkansas.

Reed began his policing career with the Phoenix Police Department. On August 6, 1973, he joined the Little Rock Police Department as a patrol officer. During 21 years there he served in the patrol division, the detective division, the vice, narcotics and intelligence divisions, and special operations, and was promoted to sergeant, lieutenant, captain and finally assistant chief.

In 1994 he retired from Little Rock after being chosen to lead the Arkansas Highway Police, the state agency that enforces commercial vehicle and highway laws. In 1997 the City of Fort Smith hired him as chief of the Fort Smith Police Department. According to his obituary, the department achieved national accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) during his tenure. Fort Smith Police Chief Danny Baker later said that accreditation was a benchmark the department has maintained and expanded for 25 years.

In June 2006 Reed left the police chief's post when he was hired as Fort Smith city administrator, replacing Bill Harding. He held the job until his resignation in February 2008, after which he retired from public service.

Reed's tenure as city administrator ended amid one of Fort Smith's most heated political fights. Kevin Lindsey, a former Joplin, Missouri, police chief, had become Fort Smith police chief in January 2007 and had fired three senior officers, one of whom was married to a city director. In February 2008 Lindsey was placed on administrative leave, and Reed intended to recommend that the Board of Directors fire him.

On Tuesday, February 19, 2008, the day the board was due to consider the chief's job, Reed resigned with immediate effect and did not attend the meeting. Director Cole Goodman also announced his resignation that day. Several hundred people, including many officers wearing shirts reading "I Support Chief Lindsey", crowded into City Hall, and a petition with more than 1,000 signatures was presented. Three directors voted to remove Lindsey, one short of the four votes needed, and he kept his job.

The dispute was cited for years afterward in arguments over whether Fort Smith's city administrator should have authority to hire and fire department heads. The board rejected that change in 2009, partly because of the 2008 conflict, before finally approving it in August 2013.

Reed and his wife Terrie had two children, Bethany and Charles (Charlie), both of whom chose careers in law enforcement, something his family says made him especially proud. He had eight grandchildren, who called him "Poppy", and he made a point of attending their First Communions, baptisms, ball games, concerts, plays and graduations, even when it meant traveling long distances. His son-in-law, Michael Ishee, died before him.

In retirement Reed and Terrie traveled to Alaska, Hawaii, Australia, Canada, Ireland, Italy and Mexico and took many road trips across the United States. He loved golf and spent many hours on the course with his golf group, and he was a member of the Hot Springs Village Corvette Club. Family described him as quick-witted, loyal and always ready to lend a hand, with the tools and skills for almost any project. He was a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Hot Springs Village.

Reed's most lasting mark is on the Fort Smith Police Department, which first earned CALEA national accreditation under his leadership and has kept it since. Fort Smith Police Chief Danny Baker, whom Reed hired in 2001, said after his death: "Chief Reed made a meaningful impact on the FSPD and left a legacy that has withstood the test of time. That is the mark of a true leader."

His family's chosen memorials reflect the same commitment to policing: the Little Rock FOP Foundation, the Fort Smith Police Department FOP College Fund, and Knights of Columbus Council 10208, Assembly 2316.