By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Growing up as kids, Taylor and Nick Reed played “cops and robbers” just like
millions of children did at a young age. With that said, the Reed brothers were slightly
more authentic than other make believers.
“Our dad was a Barton County Sheriff’s Office deputy when we were kids,” said
Taylor Reed. “I remember dad would come home and bring us old cop equipment
like holsters, uniforms, vest covers and hats. Most of our equipment was real
when we were playing.”
The Reed brothers’ dad, Kyle, is still in law enforcement, part of the
Ellinwood Police Department. Watching and idolizing their dad growing up, both
Taylor and Nick are now members of the Great Bend Police Department.
“We grew up around it,” said Nick Reed. “30-plus years in law enforcement. It
rubs off on the children. We’d play cops and robbers, running around the
neighborhood…even getting stopped by cops a few times.”
Playing with the neighbor kids, Taylor and Nick’s younger sister Elle would
typically be the brothers’ “bad guy.”
Because of his job, it was always hit and miss if their dad would be around on
holidays or the kids’ sporting events.
“He would always have the radio on,” said Taylor Reed. “When he was at your
sporting events, he would sometimes have to leave with lights and sirens on because
something was going on. Now we’re living that. It’s kind of all we know.”
Both Nick and Taylor acknowledged that even with the wild schedule, it never
stopped their dad from being a great father and role model. Their father’s
profession remained an interest in both of their lives growing up, beginning with older brother, Taylor. Taylor started working at the jail for the Sheriff’s Office in 2014 and
transferred to the police department in 2017.
“Being a police officer is something I’ve always wanted to do,” said Taylor
Reed. “I feel like I’m living the dream. I’m a K-9 officer. This is one of the
few jobs out there that you see the impact you’re making on the community.”
Prior to joining the police department, Nick was loading boxes for UPS and
coaching football in Hoisington. One night at a restaurant eating a steak,
Great Bend Police Chief Steve Haulmark approached Nick in 2021.
“Chief Haulmark happened to be at the restaurant and came up to me,” said Nick Reed.
“He said ‘I want you to apply for the police department.’”
The GBPD and city policy on nepotism changed shortly after Haulmark approached
Nick. Nick became the first officer hired under Haulmark.
“My dad has been in law enforcement so long, he’s been giving me tips,” said
Taylor Reed. “I learn from him and I learn from my mistakes. Nick gets the tips
from my dad and me. I’m telling you now, Nick is going to be a better cop than
me or my dad.”
“I’ve been blessed to have such great role models to help me progress in my career
so far,” said Nick Reed.
Working with the K-9, Taylor’s schedule typically staggers both day and night shift
at the Great Bend Police Department. Because of his role with K-9 Menta, Taylor usually works with Nick every day.
“Coming from when we were two feet tall to now, working together, it’s surreal,”
said Nick Reed.
“The chemistry that we have working together is unreal,” said Taylor Reed. “I
know what he’s going to do and he knows what I’m going to do.”
Behind closed doors, during down time, each brother has his fun poking at the
other or jokingly starting an argument.
“He’ll be typing up something, and I’ll just be messing with him,” joked Nick
Reed. “Just to get a quick reaction from him.”
That’s brothers being brothers behind closed doors. Out in the public and on
duty, both realize there is a job to do.
“Taylor is fearless,” said Nick Reed. “It does not matter what he’s going to
throw himself at. He’s right there and is going to get the job done.”
“Nick is a sponge,” said Taylor Reed. “He sits back and watches, doesn’t give
his opinion and then he acts. He learns from everything. He has a huge head
start.”
