Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, Michigan
End of Watch: Saturday, June 22, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Bradley Reckling was shot and killed while conducting surveillance on a stolen vehicle in Detroit at about 10:00 p.m.
He and other detectives with the Auto Theft Unit were searching for a car stolen from the Red Oaks Water Park earlier in the day. Detective Reckling located the vehicle with three occupants and started following it as he coordinated with the other detectives. While he continued surveillance of the vehicle, the driver suddenly stopped, and the occupants opened fire on Deputy Reckling’s vehicle.
Deputy Reckling was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The three occupants of the vehicle, who were all 18 years old, fled but were apprehended a short time later. One suspect pleaded guilty to first-degree murder of a police officer and felony firearm and was sentenced to 33-60 years. A second suspect was convicted and sentenced to eight to 30 years for carjacking, two years for felony firearm, five to 20 years for conducting a criminal enterprise, and one to five years for receiving and concealing a motor vehicle. He will be eligible for parole in 2035. A third suspect pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 3-20 years for the criminal enterprise charge, 1-5 years for the stolen vehicle charge, and 2 years for the firearm charge. He will be eligible for parole in 2030.
Deputy Reckling had served with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office for nine years and was assigned to the Auto Theft Unit. He had received numerous awards during his career. He is survived by his expectant wife and three children. His son was born a few months after his death.