Meet Detective Heather Reyda

Meet Heather Reyda, a mother of four (two boys and two girls) who lives life to the fullest. Heather loves photography, reading, music, and sports. She also enjoys watching her daughters play the piano and sing, and to her sons playing soccer.

Oh – and did I mention this? Heather is also a Detective for the Major Crimes Division in Knoxville, TN. She was gracious enough to let Girls Can’t WHAT? interview her about the challenges she faced as a female in her law enforcement career.

GCW: Heather, is law enforcement your main passion and when did you first become interested in it?

Heather: Law Enforcement IS my main passion, but I have lots of other hobbies.

GCW: Describe the first time you became interested in becoming an officer.

Heather: I was in High School, and I noticed a bit of drug use and a lot of my friends drinking and driving. I can remember thinking, I am going to change this.

GCW: Have you ever been injured or encountered any setbacks?

Heather: I have not had any real setbacks, but I did get injured after a vehicle pursuit. I was able to wreck the suspect out in his vehicle, but when I reached in to get him out of the vehicle, the fight was ON! I ended up on crutches for about 6 weeks due to knee injuries.

GCW: Glad to have you back on your feet. What is your favorite tool, piece of equipment or (whatever) that you use?

Heather: Before I became a Major Crimes detective I was a patrol officer. I loved my vehicle, and I loved my PR24 which is a baton you carry on your belt…..quite handy, even for opening vehicles involved in crashes….

GCW: Do you have a favorite event or memory?

Heather: I have a lot of favorite memories, but probably one of my favorite is when I became the 2nd ever, female patrol sergeant with our department in their 215 year history.

GCW: What are some of the highlights of your career?

Heather: I have solved a number of very serious crimes in the past year in Major crimes, kidnapping, rape, and murder, all of which I consider highlights. I am the only female ever in our dept.’s history to be a member on the Honor Guard’s Firing party (this is the team within the Honor Guard to perform the ’21 gun salute’.) But still I think making sergeant is my biggest highlight.

GCW: What challenges have you faced as a female in this area and how did you handle them?

Heather: I have been blessed not to face many obstacles, but there were times as a patrol officer where the guys I worked with would tend to watch over me a bit much, but I am not complaining. I don’t think they did it because they thought I could not do the job. I think they just worried I would get hurt….I tended to get things stirred up a bit at times when I was working patrol.

GCW: Have you ever been told you “can’t” because you are a girl? What did you do about it?

Heather: I was told that by one officer. I think in the past 14 years I have gone above and beyond disproving him.

GCW: Yes, I think you have! What do you think is your greatest accomplishment?

Heather: I think being able to have such a great career the last 14 years, and still raising smart healthy children, involved in church, who have not gotten into any trouble of their own is my biggest accomplishment.

GCW: That really is a fantastic accomplishment. How would you encourage other girls who are interested in becoming an officer of the law?

Heather: Make sure to earn a college degree, and it does NOT have to be in criminal justice, before you get started in the field. This really opens up your options in Law Enforcement on down the line.

GCW: Heather, that is great advice. I see from this photo of your daughter that you are already an inspiration. I am sure you are a fabulous role model not only to your family, but to many others in your community as well.

Thanks for taking the time to do the interview. Girls Can’t WHAT? wishes you the best of luck with your amazing career.