Reed K. Tait

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Webster, NY – December 28, 2019 passed away suddenly at age 58.


Predeceased by his parents Regina Casey Tait, Robert Tait. Also aunt and uncle Sister Ambrosine Casey SSJ, and Brother Thomas Casey SJ.  Survived by beloved daughter Megan, from his marriage to Pam,  brother Mark(Linda), sister Roxanne (Mearl) Swift, nephews Brendon, Casey and Cameron and niece Briana.


A 25-year veteran of the Rochester Police Department, Reed retired at the rank of Lieutenant in 2010.  During his career Reed worked in many of the specialty units, and was recognized several times for his accomplishments. 

He was a 1979 graduate of Wayne Central High School and received his AAS degree in Criminal Justice from MCC.


Reed had a passion for sports and was a lifelong Steelers Fan.
Private services will be held at a later date.

55 Condolences

  1. Daniel Zimmerman RPD on January 1, 2020 at 11:18 pm

    My thoughts and prayers go out to Reed’s families his personal and his family in blue.

    • Andy Santell on January 6, 2020 at 4:39 pm

      Reed was such a good person. He was a great friend and a great cop. I will miss him.

    • Shawn Brosnan on January 7, 2020 at 8:49 am

      Loss of a great cop and a nice person R.I.P

  2. James Woodward on January 2, 2020 at 10:07 am

    My sincere condolences. Prayer for his family, friends, and colleagues with the RPD. Matthew 5:4

    • Barbara Phillips on January 6, 2020 at 2:21 pm

      My condolences and prayers to his family and colleagues. May he rest in peace. 🙏🙏🙏

      • Ceferino Gonzalez on January 8, 2020 at 4:51 pm

        My condolences to Reed’s family. A great person.

  3. Michael Prince on January 2, 2020 at 12:22 pm

    Prayers for his soul, as well as for his family and friends at this difficult time.

    2 Maccabees 12:46 It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins.

    • Lori Baldwin on January 2, 2020 at 4:25 pm

      My condolences for Reed’s family and friends. My thoughts and prayers are with you through this difficult time.

    • Tony DeBellis on January 4, 2020 at 2:11 pm

      Reed was a good friend and a great cop. I will always remember with fondness our years working together. Rest in peace, my brother.

  4. Laurie Kingsley-Henry on January 2, 2020 at 2:31 pm

    My thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family. Such sad news!

  5. Mike Salway on January 2, 2020 at 3:13 pm

    My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. He will be missed.

    • Frank DiPrimo on January 2, 2020 at 8:05 pm

      I am very sorry for your loss.

  6. Luis Hernandez on January 2, 2020 at 4:34 pm

    My thoughts and prayers to the family. Rest in peace brother.

  7. Dean Thomas on January 2, 2020 at 5:50 pm

    My sincere condolences and my thoughts and prayers to Reed’s family 💙 Rest In Peace brother

  8. Cindi Muratore on January 2, 2020 at 6:16 pm

    My Thoughts and prayers go out to Meagan and family. I am so sorry for your loss. Lt., you will be missed!

    • Bruce Philpott on January 2, 2020 at 9:48 pm

      Condolences to the Tait family. Rest In Peace, Reed.

      • John Tando on January 6, 2020 at 12:50 pm

        My thoughts and prayers go out to the Tait family. God Bless.

    • Megan Tait on January 4, 2020 at 7:26 pm

      Thank you Cindy. My father always thought so highly of you. And I appreciate all that you for me as well

  9. Dwayne D Snead on January 2, 2020 at 9:38 pm

    Reed was one I looked up to when I was a rookie! A solid Officer and helped when he could! May God give his family peace during this time!

    • Frank Alvarado on January 4, 2020 at 7:40 am

      I’m very sorry for your loss.

  10. Marisol Vasquez on January 2, 2020 at 10:29 pm

    Reed my friend you will be dearly missed. My condolences to your family.

  11. Arleen Hyland on January 3, 2020 at 10:22 am

    Condolences to the family from the people at the 311 Call Center.

  12. Marilyn on January 3, 2020 at 10:26 am

    My deepest condolences to the family. So deeply sorry for your loss! May God continue to give you strength during this difficult time.

  13. Michael McCarthy on January 3, 2020 at 6:31 pm

    Rest in peace, Reed, after a life well lived.

  14. Car and Ada Simms on January 4, 2020 at 9:30 am

    May God give the Family strength during this challenging time

  15. Anthony Perez on January 4, 2020 at 9:56 am

    Reed can rest now RIP 🙏 🙏 🙏 for the family. Reed is peace now

    • J.D. Bannister on January 4, 2020 at 11:28 am

      My sincere condolences on your loss. God bless your family and may Reed rest in peace.

  16. Maryann Locigno on January 4, 2020 at 12:57 pm

    My love and prayers to the Tait Family. So very sad to hear of his passing. I’ve know him since he was a young boy. God Bless you Reed and may you R.I.P. 🙏🙏🙏

  17. Tammy on January 4, 2020 at 1:23 pm

    Reed was a great boss when I was on midnights. Strange thing…I was just recently thinking of him, wondering how he was. I’m sorry to hear of his passing. May he be at peace.

  18. Paul Boccacino on January 4, 2020 at 2:09 pm

    Dear Family, I had the honor and blessing to work with Reed in the RPD. I am truly sad and sorry about his passing & will always remember his smile upon each time he greeted you…my deepest and heartfelt sympathy is with you and may Reed be at peace in Heaven.

    • Tpm Whitmore on January 6, 2020 at 11:31 am

      Gone too soon…I took a liking to Reed the very first time I met him when he first came on the job. Always smiling, never a frown, and that contagious laugh of his said everything about his character. He always had time to lend an ear for a chat. He was great officer, then a great boss, and most of all just a great human being. Surely missed by all of us. R.I.P. Brother

    • Gerdo Vazquez on January 6, 2020 at 12:09 pm

      Lt.Tait an awsome Boss.Rest in Peace

  19. Laurie Robinson on January 5, 2020 at 7:52 am

    RIP Reed. My condolences to the Tait family.

  20. Olga Kuscht Karwowski on January 5, 2020 at 12:15 pm

    Roxanne,

    So very sorry to hear about the loss of your brother, Reed. I will always remember him fondly from our high school days. Wishing you & your family peace at this very difficult time.

    Olga

  21. Clark on January 5, 2020 at 3:00 pm

    My thoughts go out to the Tait family. I will always remember Reed from my 311 days.

  22. Michael J. Kozak on January 5, 2020 at 4:13 pm

    Prayers, condolences and peace to the Tait family. It was an honor and privilege to have been your RPD classmate brother. Many fond memories. May God bless your soul. RPD proud.

    • Tony Galante on January 6, 2020 at 3:56 pm

      Reed was the Lieutenant of Lake Section, 1st Platoon which was my first assignment after field training. He was truly an excellent teacher, role model and always led by example and was usually the first person through the door on a job. My sincere condolences.

  23. Mark Gerbino on January 6, 2020 at 11:22 am

    A true gentlemen and awesome representation of law enforcement. Condolences to the family. RIP brother. God Bless.

  24. John Nobrega on January 6, 2020 at 11:30 am

    Sincere condolences to the Reed Family, God bless the Reed Family on this difficult time.

  25. Mark and Sarah Sennett on January 6, 2020 at 11:31 am

    Thoughts and prayers for all.

    Rest In Peace Reed

  26. Sammie L. Drayton Sr. on January 6, 2020 at 11:40 am

    My deepest condolences to Reed’s family.

  27. Gerry Smith on January 6, 2020 at 11:43 am

    My sincere condolences, thoughts, and prayers to Reed’s family and friends. It was an honor working with you brother, rest in peace.

  28. Robert Alan Goldfinger on January 6, 2020 at 12:57 pm

    Condolences to the Reed’s family. Reed was a true gentlemen and a great police officer. The Tait family should be proud of the respect felt by his fellow officers. May God continue to bless his soul, bless the Tait family, members of the Rochester Police Department and our great nation.

    • Tim List on January 6, 2020 at 5:24 pm

      Condolences to Megan and all who loved Reed. He was a valued partner in law enforcement. We worked together most of our career and shared many laughs. I looked up to Reed and valued him as a “senior” guy. More then that I valued him as a friend. Reed will be missed.

  29. Paul DeCillis on January 6, 2020 at 1:53 pm

    I only met Reed a couple times on the job, but he was one of those people that make you think, “He’s a good guy and RPD is lucky to have him.” Rest in Peace, brother.

  30. Jay Maitland on January 6, 2020 at 8:23 pm

    Rest in Peace brother Reed. It was a pleasure working alongside you. Gone far too soon.

  31. JEFFREY N NOBLES on January 6, 2020 at 8:53 pm

    So sorry for your loss Reed was a good man. God bless your family and friends

  32. Guy Rossi on January 6, 2020 at 9:15 pm

    God bless you my friend. I enjoyed working with you. Condolences to your family.

  33. Mike Bialaszewski on January 7, 2020 at 5:29 am

    The “LT” had such an infectious smile, you could see it a mile a way, I enjoyed my time working with him on securing funding for many of those special unit he lead. Brenda’s and my prayers for the family.

  34. Clifton H. Manns, Sr on January 7, 2020 at 5:33 am

    Shocked and saddened upon learning of your passing Brother Reed. Many many memories working the first platoon in the Clinton Section, then while I was in Maple. Reed you were always a source of support and assistance. Lord knows we needed it! The bosses on “First” always stuck together. May GOD shower your family with His love and comfort, not just now but forever.

  35. John Corbelli on January 7, 2020 at 10:25 am

    Reed I enjoyed working with you on Highland Section midnights, May you be at peace and may your family find comfort in God’s love.

  36. David Hernandez on January 8, 2020 at 9:10 am

    My sincere condolences to family and friends. Had the privilege of working with Lt. Tati and he has left us much too soon. Praying for God’s peace and guidance through this difficult situation.

  37. Deral Givens on January 13, 2020 at 7:50 pm

    Reed is a great person will truly be missed. Please accept my condolences.

  38. John Brennan on January 16, 2020 at 8:01 pm

    We had some great times, God Bless.

  39. Glenda Day Williams on June 1, 2023 at 9:54 pm

    Just discovered his passing.. He saved my life as an. RPD officer. I am sincerely saddened. by his passing. If any family would like to know his fine works… I’m here.

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