John Reed, a 72-year-old male military veteran, died on October 22, 2024, after being severely beaten in a holding cell at the Macon County Sheriff's Office in Alabama. Reed, who was a disabled man requiring a cane, a motorized wheelchair, and 24-hour oxygen for chronic COPD, had been arrested for driving under the influence. His bail was set at less than $300, and his wife and mother were in the process of securing his release when the fatal assault occurred.
While awaiting bond, Reed was placed in a holding cell with another inmate, 24-year-old Daniel Pollard III of Tuskegee. Pollard, who has a significant criminal history, is alleged to have repeatedly hit and kicked Reed in the head, causing his death. An investigation into the incident was launched by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency's State Bureau of Investigation, and Pollard has since been charged with murder. At the time of the incident, Pollard was on probation after pleading guilty to attempted murder and burglary in 2022, for which he had received a 20-year split sentence. His attorney has stated that he has severe mental health issues.
In the aftermath of Reed's death, his family has raised serious questions about the procedures and level of care at the Macon County jail. They have filed a civil rights lawsuit against three deputies, alleging that they were aware of the assault but failed to intervene or provide medical assistance to Reed. The family contends that Reed should have been in protective custody or under medical supervision due to his health conditions and that the jail staff's negligence contributed to his death. His wife, who was waiting outside the jail to pay his bond, was not informed of the situation until after her husband had been pronounced dead at the scene. The family's attorneys have publicly stated that the Macon County Sheriff's Office has 'blood on their hands' and that if a man like Reed could be murdered over a simple DUI arrest, then no one is safe.
