Flint City Police Detective Maria Reed
Detective Maria Reed has been an officer with the Department since 2016. She made history at that time as she and her son became the first mother-son duo to join the Flint Police Department. They even took the spotlight in a docuseries 'Flint Town'.
FLINT, Mich. (WJRT) - A long-time detective with the Flint City Police Department is battling breast cancer.
Detective Maria Reed has been an officer with the Department since 2016. She made history at that time, as she and her son became the first mother-son duo to join the Flint Police Department. They even took the spotlight in a docuseries, "Flint Town."
"My sister is my hero," said Stacy Ostrander, Det. Reed's older sister. "She, every step of the way, has made it through every obstacle that has come her direction. I feel the cancer is just another thing she is going to conquer."
The two sisters have always been close. Ostrander said they were born on 11-11, two years apart. Those close to the 47-year-old say Detective Reed signifies strength and compassion even through a tough career.
Stacey says on April 9, 2021, her sister was ambushed and survived.
"A suspect that had attempted to rob a gas station and opened fire on her," said Ostrander. "She was in the vehicle, and only by the grace of God she wasn't killed because he was aiming for her."
A terrifying time, only to receive the news three years later, to that day, that doctors had found a small mass. The stage two diagnosis forced Detective Reed to get a double mastectomy. She will begin Chemo on Aug. 1.
"It's surreal," said Ostrander. "It's definitely not something that we ever thought would happen."
From joining the police academy in 2016 with her son Dion, Flint City Police Det. Sgt. Booth said he recalls the start of her career in Flint.
"The greatest moment for her is, I remember the smile on her face, the smile at graduation, when she came through, her son was here as a police officer," said Booth. "A great moment where they were proud of each other."
Chanda Taggart and Danielle Groce reminisce on their history of friendship with Detective Maria Reed. The two have been involved with setting up a fundraiser for their friend to help with medical costs.
They describe the woman behind the badge as strong who cares for others; It's one of the reasons they feel she joined law enforcement.
"Maria is the rock or the glue to our circle. I met her in 6th grade, and we've been friends since," they said.
As Detective Reed has been "Created to Conquer" life's events, from her profession of helping others during investigations, she will continue to have a band of blue behind her.
"She's not here doing it by herself or doing it alone," said her support system.
An all-day fundraising event for Detective Reed will be held this Saturday, July 20.
Details of an all-day charity fundraising event for Det. Maria Reed on Saturday July 20.
There is a light lunch at 1:30 p.m. at The Alibi Bar & Grill in Flint. A motorcycle ride from Alibi in Flint to the VFW lodge in Davison will take place, ending with a social hour and pasta dinner.
The event will happen in rain or shine, and there will be a silent auction raffle, and it is family-friendly.
The family thanks each business, each law enforcement department and the community for the donations. They continue to collect raffle prizes through Thursday.
You can donate on GoFundMe here.
