Holly MatkinLee County, FL – Naples Police Department (NPD) Sergeant Jeffrey Reidy died in a three-vehicle crash while off duty on Thursday.
The 41-year-old sergeant was driving his SUV westbound on Corkscrew Road near Burgundy Farms Road when the collision occurred at approximately 11:50 a.m., the News-Press reported.
Sgt. Reidy was traveling behind a 32-year-old woman who was driving another SUV, according to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP).
As they neared a construction zone, the woman slowed down because the traffic in front of her had stopped, the News-Press reported.
Sgt. Reidy swerved to avoid colliding with her vehicle, but ended up crashing head-on into an oncoming tractor-truck being driven by a 59-year-old man, the FHP said.
“We are extremely sad to announce the death of 41-year-old Sergeant Jeffrey Reidy, most recently assigned to the Patrol Division,” the NPD said in a Facebook post on Thursday afternoon. “Sergeant Reidy died today in an off-duty car crash in Lee County.”
Sgt. Reidy joined the NPD on Jan. 18, 2011, and went on to serve as a patrol officer, D.A.R.E. instructor, field training officer, high liability traffic stops instructor, and DUI instructor, according to his department.
In 2015, he was promoted to the rank of detective and was assigned to the Criminal Investigations Unit.
Sgt. Reidy specialized in domestic violence and special victim crimes, the NPD said.
He was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 2019.
Sgt. Reidy received a multitude of awards during his 10 years of service, including “two Phoenix Awards for Life-Saving efforts, Command Recognition, Exceptional Duty, a Life-Saving Award, and many letters of commendation and appreciation for his work,” the NPD said.
He leaves behind his wife, Jennifer, and his children, Charlie, Emma, Rylin, and Gavin, according to a fundraising campaign established to help his family in the wake of their loss.
The effort has raised over $22,800 so far.
“A husband, a father, a best friend, an officer; he will be deeply missed by all who knew him,” the NPD said. “On behalf of the entire Department, we extend our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Sergeant Jeffrey Reidy.”
Saddened to learn of @NaplesPolice Sergeant Jeffrey Reidy’s death in an off-duty crash. He will be remembered for his more than 10 years of dedicated service to the Naples community.
Justin and I will be praying for the Naples Police Department and Sgt. Reidy’s family. https://t.co/nABSksDITE
— AG Ashley Moody (@AGAshleyMoody) February 19, 2021
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Naples Police Department and the family and friends of Sergeant Jeffrey Reidy. Your service to the community will not be soon forgotten.
Rest Easy Friend pic.twitter.com/p3v9X4lH14
— Marco Island PD (@MarcoIslandPD) February 19, 2021
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Naples Police Department Sergeant Jeffrey Reidy, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
