Friends, family of murdered officer react to his killer's acquittal

A Westmoreland County police chief is talking to Channel 11 about a shocking verdict last week, when a man was acquitted of murdering Saint Clair police Officer Lloyd Reed.

"Shock -- basically didn't have a response to anything at that time, it was amazing how they could come to a verdict of not guilty," said Chief Adam Richards, with Hooversville police.

RELATED STORY: Ray Shetler found not guilty in death of Officer Lloyd Reed

He was friends with Reed and is still disappointed that the man who shot and killed him was acquitted of murder.

"Certainly didn't expect the outcome we got," Richards said. "I feel it's a travesty to the justice system alone."

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Ray Shetler was found not guilty by a jury after 20 hours of deliberations.

Reed worked with Richards for years. The two became more than colleagues -- they became friends.

"He was always there for me, anytime I had a question, I could call him. Anytime he had a question, he came to me for," Richards said. "He's just an outstanding person, I miss him dearly."

For the first time since the decision, Reed's widow, Rose, is breaking her silence.

She sent the following statement to Channel 11:

"The justice system that my husband was honored to protect and serve, did not protect and serve him.  Such an injustice for all the years he gave to help and protect all of us, the justice system and peers of the jury failed him. Apparently they heard a different story from the rest of us, and believed it.  I did not know what really happened that night till the trial, but he admitted it on the stand. If he was not guilty then why, why did he run!! Not only was I hoping for justice for my husband, but I kept saying how the outcome of this trial was so, so important for police officers in the future.  The murders are gonna claim it was self defense.  Now I cannot fight any kind of justice for my husband, it's done, it's over!"

"It was an injustice to Rose, to Junior, to their family friends and law enforcement community altogether," Richards said. "The fact that he was doing his job makes it that much harder."

Cox Media Group