Base Grieves After the Loss of Airman

APD announces the ID of Clinton Reeves' body

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By Corey Allen-Young
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Story Created: May 10, 2012 at 7:21 PM AKDT

Story Updated: May 15, 2012 at 10:53 AM AKDT

ANCHORAGE - Sad news traveled across Anchorage late Wednesday night, as Judy Davis informed the world of her son’s death. Anchorage police confirmed Thursday morning that the Eagle River body found on Tuesday was his.

“The body that was found in Eagle River is that of Senior Airman Clinton Reeves,” said Anchorage Police Department spokesperson Lieutenant Dave Parker.

It was a somber mood Thursday morning at the Boniface gate of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) as officials talked about the life of Senior Airman Clinton Reeves. Police stressed that they will do everything in their power to find his killer, but for now the focus is on remembering the young man who meant so much to others.

“It kills me because how can anybody hurt him, he's like the nicest person I’ve ever met in my life,” said Shauna Semon, a friend of Reeves.

He was the guy everyone wanted to be around.

“If it was raining outside, and there was a puddle, and a lady was walking, he would literally take his jacket off of himself, put it over there and let the lady walk across it,” Semon said.

”He was a son and he was our brother at arms,” said Lieutenant Colonel Patricia Csank, Reeves’ commander in the 673rd Logistics Readiness Squadron where he was a fuel technician. “The aircraft that you hear overhead every day, we say that's the sound of freedom, and he fielded the sound of freedom.”

Now someone police are calling a friend to Reeves is behind bars in connection with Reeves' disappearance.

According to charging documents, he tampered with evidence by cleaning up blood and lying to detectives.

While no additional charges have been added against Thomas, police said the investigation will continue. “We will leave no stone unturned until we are satisfied that we have the person responsible for this or persons for this,” said Parker.

But for those on JBER it means dealing with the death of a brother.

“Grieving over the loss of our teammates, our brothers and sisters is not uncommon,” said Robert Evans, commander on JBER. “It is unusual in the matter of homicide. I want to express my deep condolences on behalf of the entire JBER family, to the friends and family of Clinton Reeves who lost his life.”

But when it comes to the 24-year-old airman and what he meant to people, his impact will live forever.

According to JBER officials, Reeves was also selected for a very rare honor in 2009 when he was one of the airmen who fueled Air Force One, when the president landed.

His squadron is planning a private ceremony for Monday, and both of Reeves' parents will get military honors for him in their respective hometowns.
 

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Frank B., USMC Vet said on Tuesday, May 15 at 7:53 PM

I can not imagine having any kind of motive to do such bad thing against a kind young man as Clinton, my condolences to his family, may God be with his family and with Clinton.

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