PONTIAC, Mich – Oakland County Deputy Bradley J. Reckling was tragically shot and killed in the line of duty on Saturday night. Reckling, a nine-year veteran of the department, was a husband and father of three young children, with a fourth on the way.
Donations can be made by visiting the link below, or mailed with Attention to Mission Oakland, 1200 N. Telegraph Rd., Building 38E Pontiac MI 48341. Please put “Deputy Reckling” on the memo and make checks payable to Mission Oakland.
Click here to donate to the Reckling family through this Paypal link. The Oakland County Sheriff has verified this to be real and approved by the family.
The incident began with the theft of a 2022 Chevrolet Equinox at Red Oaks Water Park in Madison Heights. The auto theft unit, including Reckling, was searching for the stolen vehicle in Detroit. The stolen car was located, and when the suspects exited the vehicle, shots were fired in what Sheriff Michael Bouchard described as an “ambush.” Reckling was shot in the head, chest, and torso.
Detroit police and Michigan State Police quickly responded, and three individuals were taken into custody. Sheriff Bouchard emphasized the department’s focus on supporting Reckling’s family and urged the community to pray and donate to the department’s charity, Mission Oakland, to support the family.
Bouchard highlighted the emotional toll on the department, referencing other recent traumatic events and the need for more mental health resources. He called for local, state, and federal support, particularly for additional peer-to-peer mental health liaisons.
Reckling was remembered fondly by his colleagues, who shared messages about his character during the press conference. Local officials and police departments have released statements mourning the loss.
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