A Michigan sheriff’s deputy – who is also a father of three young children – was shot and killed in an alleged ambush. Those in the community say the police officer’s murder is a “soul-crushing” death.
Oakland County Sheriff’s Deputy Bradley Reckling – a 30-year-old father of three – had been trailing a reported stolen vehicle on Saturday night in Detroit. The alleged stolen vehicle – a 2022 Chevy Equinox – was reportedly stolen earlier in the day from the Red Oaks Waterpark in Madison Heights.
Reckling – a member of the department’s auto theft unit – was following the car in an unmarked law enforcement vehicle.
Suddenly, the stolen vehicle reportedly stopped, the individuals exited the car, and shot Reckling.
“The car suddenly stopped. Individuals exited that stolen vehicle and opened fire on our deputy. It was an ambush. That obviously triggered a whole bunch of things. The deputy was struck in the head, struck in the chest, the torso area. At 22:50 the officer down call went out. Obviously Detroit police and MSP flooded the area very quickly I’d like to thank and commend them for that,” Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said at a press conference on Sunday.
Police arrested three individuals believed to have been involved in the murder ofDeputy Reckling.
