Edward Reina, a longtime leader in tribal law enforcement and member of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, died on September 14 in Florida. He is survived by his wife Enid.
Reina held several key positions throughout his career, including Chief of Police for the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, Reno-Sparks Indian Colony, and Yavapai-Prescott Tribe. He also served as Director of Public Safety for the Tohono O’odham Nation.
He was recognized as the first Tribal Police Chief to become President of the Arizona Association of Chiefs of Police. Reina was also active with the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Indian Country Law Enforcement Section.
Reina played a notable role in defending tribal law enforcement authority nationally as the respondent in the 1990 U.S. Supreme Court case Duro v. Reina.
The Justice Department Office of Tribal Justice joined other federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies in mourning his passing last week. At a meeting this week in Washington, D.C., members honored Reina and his family with a moment of silence during an assembly of the Indian Country Federal Law Enforcement Coordination Group.
"We are humbled by his legacy and sorely miss his great partnership and contributions to public safety in Indian Country. We extend heartfelt condolences to his family and friends," said representatives from the Justice Department Office of Tribal Justice.
