Naples police sergeant and father of four dies in off-duty Lee County crash

Naples Police Sgt. Jeffrey Reidy, a father of four, died Thursday in an off-duty crash in Lee County, officials report. 

According to the Naples Police Department, Reidy, 41, was most recently assigned to the department's patrol division.

"A husband, a father, a best friend, an officer; he will be deeply missed by all who knew

him," a news release issued by the department said. "On behalf of the entire Department, we extend our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Sergeant Jeffrey Reidy."

Florida Highway Patrol said a 41-year-old Estero man was driving an SUV west on Corkscrew Road near Burgundy Farms Road about 11:50 a.m. A 32-year-old  Estero woman was driving an SUV in front of him. She slowed down because of traffic stopped in a construction zone.

The first SUV driver didn't slow down in time and swerved, hitting the side of the woman's SUV. The first driver then collided head-on with a tractor-truck driven by a 59-year-old Lehigh Acres man.

While troopers did not release any names in accordance with Marsy's law, there were no other Lee County fatalities Monday morning.  Reidy's age and hometown match the driver who died.

Naples police said Reidy began his career in Naples on January 18, 2011. He worked as a patrol officer and was a D.A.R.E. instructor, a field training officer, a DUI instructor, and a High Liability Traffic Stops Instructor.

He then transferred  to the Criminal Investigations Unit as a detective in 2015, where he specialized in special victim crimes and domestic violence. In 2016, he obtained his Master Officer status and in 2019 was promoted to sergeant.

He received numerous awards, including two Phoenix Awards for Life-

Saving efforts, command recognition, exceptional duty, a Life-Saving Award, and

many letters of commendation and appreciation for his work.

He is survived by his wife and four children.

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