Pete Reed death: Family remembers Bordentown, NJ native killed in Ukraine

BORDENTOWN, NJ (WPVI) — Pete Reed, a Bordentown Regional High School graduate, was killed in Ukraine last Thursday while on a humanitarian mission.

He treated wounded, both military and civilian, on the front lines of the war.

Reed was killed in the Bakhmut region of Ukraine while trying to evacuate those injured in a missile attack.

Reed and his wife, Alex Potter, were preparing to celebrate their first wedding anniversary in just a few weeks.

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“He always listened and was always very present and very caring. That’s why so many people loved him, because they can say he’s real like they say,” Potter said in an interview with ABC News.

Visibly and understandably upset, she shared her story.

It started years ago in Iraq when Potter was a journalist and a nurse. Reed, a Navy veteran, provided medical assistance.

“I heard from Pete and a group of medics they were with. So I joined them and figured I’d stay for a couple of weeks. But we fell in love very quickly,” Potter said.

From there, they founded a non-profit organization together and carried out humanitarian missions wherever the need arose.

“The idea of ​​people getting hurt weighed heavily on him,” Potter said.

When war broke out in Ukraine, Reed was given the opportunity to work for Global Outreach Doctors.

“We knew he had the skills and empathy to help our brothers and sisters in Ukraine and knew he had the connections,” said Andrew Lusting of Global Outreach Doctors.

He was quickly appointed country director.

On Thursday, he was transporting victims in an ambulance when it came under fire.

Through tears, Lusting couldn’t say enough about the work Reed and Potter had accomplished together.

“What a great team Pete Reed and his wife Alex are,” said Lusting.

“Every single person he came in contact with felt loved and heard. He really cared about her because he did,” Potter said.