(Le Mars) — More than 50 different law enforcement agency vehicles and 15 K-9 units from across the state were in attendance for former Le Mars Police Officer and K-9 handler, Mark Reed’s funeral, which was held Monday afternoon at the Rejoice Community Church at Le Mars. The former police officer died last week after being diagnosed with brain cancer. Following the funeral, a processional of law enforcement vehicles followed the hearse from the Rejoice Community Church to the Rexwinkel Funeral Home. K-9 units from such places as Des Moines, West Des Moines, Altoona, Sioux City, and Sheldon all stood at attention with their police dogs while the hearse carrying Reed passed by. The funeral processional was led by the Le Mars Police Department with its K-9 vehicle with a wreath of flowers on the vehicle’s hood, followed by the Rexwinkel Funeral Home, carrying the body of the former police officer. Next, were family members and close friends. Then, the chain of law enforcement vehicles, all with their emergency red and blue lights flashing, were led by the Le Mars Police Department, followed by other area municipal police vehicles from Akron, Merrill, Hinton, Remsen and Kingsley. Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office with a staff of deputies were next. Sioux, O’Brien, Lyon, and Woodbury County Sheriff’s Offices were all represented at the funeral, as were the Iowa State Patrol, Division of Criminal Investigation, and Sioux City Police Department, and Plymouth County Conservation Board Park Ranger. Stockton’s Towing Company had set up one of their wrecker trucks at the Le Mars Convention Center’s parking lot at the 12th Street SE with a large banner measuring approximately eight feet high and as much as 15 feet in length showing the law enforcement flag with the blue stripe, and the badge of Officer Reed, with the words “Mark Reed”. The banner could be seen by all funeral attendees as they turned the corner from the Rejoice Community Church at 3rd Avenue SE on to 12th Street SE. Also, along 12th Street SE at the Le Mars Outdoor Swimming Pool parking lot, the Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department had set up their aerial truck stretching above 12th Street with the American Flag hanging above the street. Members of the Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department stood at attention, while wearing their class A uniforms. Besides the aerial truck, the Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department had on display their ladder truck and an ambulance, all with their emergency lights flashing, showing their respect. Several people from the community had parked at the Community Wellness Center and YMCA’s parking lot and got out of their cars, standing at attention at the sidewalk, many with their hand over their heart as the funeral processional passed.
