Polk County Sheriff’s Office
End of Watch: Sunday, September 18, 2011
Ms. Bea Reid, 44-years-old, Executive Director of the Office of Business Affairs for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, was killed by her husband in the early morning hours of Sunday, September 18, 2011, according to the Plant City Police Department. “Bea was an incredibly special person to all of us at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office—she was not just our colleague, she was our dear friend,” said Sheriff Grady Judd. “Our Sheriff’s Office family is hurting—this is a tremendous loss. In the most difficult of times, the best of friends come together to love and support each other. ”
Bea Reid is survived locally by her mother, two sons, a step-daughter, a step-son, and an agency family who loved her dearly.
Bea lived in Plant City and worked at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Operations Center. She was hired by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office on March 4, 1996 as Finance Supervisor. She quickly became a valuable asset to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. In September 1996, she was promoted to Finance Administrator and to Deputy Director of Finance in October 2002. Bea was appointed as Executive Director of Business Affairs in January 2005. She was the highest ranking civilian member at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the third highest ranking executive staff member (after Sheriff Grady Judd and Chief of Staff Steve Lester). She led and managed all administrative aspects of the Sheriff’s Office including finance, human resources, training, fleet operations, information technology, and business services. She has earned advanced academic degrees through the master’s level. She was a Certified Public Accountant and a Florida Certified Public Manager. She was a parishioner and volunteer at St. Clement Catholic Church; she belonged to and was treasurer for the Lakeland Kiwanis Club; served on the Board of Directors of the Citizens CPR; served on the Board of Directors of Central Florida Speech and Hearing Center; and was the volunteer Executive Director of Polk Sheriff’s Charities, a large, multi-purpose charity that supports public safety causes. She has coordinated the first two “Bustin’ Clays With Grady Judd” annual fundraising event for Polk Sheriff’s Charities (2009-2010; the next event is March, 2012). She was a cancer survivor and energetically supported the fight against the disease.
She was recognized as the 2011 Professional Woman of Distinction from the National Association of Women Business Owners in Lakeland on Thursday, April 7, 2011. According to NAWBO, a Woman of Distinction is, “a woman who exemplifies achievement, integrity, professionalism and community spirit. She is a woman who embodies those values and has distinguished herself in service to her organization, company and community.”
At the time she was recognized, Sheriff Judd said: “Bea is proven professional who has earned the respect of her peers and everyone she supervises. She may not wear a uniform, but she certainly wears the agency’s pride well – her bright and positive personality, can-do attitude, and exceptional teamwork and customer service philosophy, are examples for all of us to follow.”