On March 28, 2019 at approximately 8:51 AM, officers responded to 1730 Bunker Hill Road on the report that Ryan Leigh Reed was threatening to harm himself and his juvenile son. Officers also learned that Mr. Reed had an existing arrest warrant for failure to appear in court. When officers arrived, Mr. Reed refused to respond to the officers’ request to open the door. Officers with The Special Operations Group entered the home but Mr. Reed retreated to a bedroom barricading himself and his son inside. Mr. Reed continued to threaten harm to himself and his son. After negotiations with Mr. Reed failed, it became necessary for officers to breach the room and rescue his son. Mr. Reed was placed under arrest and charged with aggravated kidnapping, evading arrest, and served the existing arrest warrant. He was taken to the Cookeville Regional Medical Center for medical treatment before being transported to the Putnam County Jail. His bond was set at $52,500.
Daniel Travis Welch of Monterey was discovered inside the home when officers entered. He was taken into custody and charged with theft stemming from a prior investigation. He was transported to the Putnam County Jail. His bond was set at $4,000.
Mr. Reed’s son was transported to the Cookeville Regional Medical Center for examination. He was
unharmed in the incident and placed with a family member.
Due to the incident being in relatively close proximity to the Prescott South Middle and Elementary Schools, the Putnam County Board of Education was notified of the incident as a precaution.
The Cookeville Police Department would like to thank the Putnam County Board of Education, the
Cookeville Fire Department, Putnam County Emergency Services, and the Tennessee Department of
Children’s Services for their assistance.
Ryan Leigh Reed, 35
Daniel Travis Welch, 40