Slain Deputy Bradley Reckling Leaves Behind Young Family, Sheriff Seeking Support
(OCSO, June 23, 2024)
OAKLAND COUNTY, MI – A decorated Oakland County Sheriff’s Office deputy and married father of three young children was killed in the line of duty late Saturday when he was shot while following a stolen car in Detroit. Bradley J. Reckling, 30, was working undercover when he was fatally wounded by a gunman shortly before 11 p.m. Saturday on the northeast side of Detroit.
“This agency is crushed,” Sheriff Michael Bouchard said. “If you are someone who believes in prayer, please pray for his family and this agency.”
Reckling and two other members of the Sheriff’s Office Auto Theft Unit were searching for a Chevrolet Equinox that had been stolen earlier in the day from Red Oaks Water Park in Madison Heights.
Reckling and his colleagues, who were in separate unmarked vehicles, had traced the car to a location in Detroit. Reckling spotted the car first and the other detectives were en route when the stolen car stopped and at least one of three suspects in the car got out and began shooting.
“It was an ambush,” Bouchard said.
Reckling was struck multiple times. He died at the hospital a short time later. Police in the area were quickly informed Reckling had been shot and Detroit Police and the Michigan State Police flooded the area and quickly set up a perimeter.
Three suspects were arrested and are in custody.
Reckling was hired in April 2015. He was honored multiple times by the Sheriff’s Office, including commendations for life saving, meritorious service and professional excellence. Bouchard said Reckling was loved and admired by his colleagues. He had been assigned to the Rochester Hills substation but had recently transferred to the Auto Theft Unit.
Reckling’s death leaves a void that is impossible to fill and is devastating to the Sheriff’s Office.
“You can see it in their eyes how soul crushing this is,” Bouchard said.
The sheriff shared three testimonials written by three of Reckling’s colleagues.
“Brad was always there to lend a helping hand,” Deputy Nicholas Bohon said. “He loved his family more than anything. He was a great cop but an even better father and husband.”
Deputy Nathan Rogers said he and Reckling grew up in the agency together, first working in corrections, studying for a promotion and graduating from the police academy together. “Brad was one of the most selfless colleagues and the most dedicated husband and best father to his girls,” Rogers said. “There’s no other way to describe him other than just the best person.”
Deputy Matthew Morrison said Reckling had spent the past few months remodeling his home to give his pregnant wife and three daughters, ages 5,4, and 1, the best place to call home. “Brad was a loving husband, father, and an amazing friend,” Morrison said. “He loved the outdoors. Was an amazing fisherman, loved to deer hunt, and enjoyed growing his farm and raising animals… Anyone who knows Brad knows it doesn’t take long before he starts cracking jokes and gets him laughing. He was a great worker and an amazing friend who’d do anything for anyone. Brad was a prime example of what a great parent, husband, and friend means. He was loved by many and will be truly missed.”
Reckling’s death comes a week after a tragic shooting at a splash pad in Rochester Hills, which injured nine people, including three children. Three of the victims, two women and a child, remain hospitalized. The sheriff said that incident, coupled with the tragic shootings at Oxford High School and Michigan State University during which Oakland County deputies responded, has taken an emotional toll on the mental health of the staff.
A crisis intervention team was flown in last week to counsel deputies. The team left on Saturday. “It’s been a challenge,” Bouchard said. “It’s like a boxer. How many punches can you get and remain standing.”
Bouchard renewed calls for increased funding to support mental health programing for the Sheriff’s Office, which now has one full-time position for peer-to-peer support for an agency that has nearly 1,500 employees.
Besides the major incidents which necessitated a significant response from the Sheriff’s Office, day-to-day calls often present significant challenges. He said he plans to ask County Executive Dave Coulter and the Board of Commissioners for an emergency salary to fund at least one more position.
“They see these things every day,” Bouchard said. “You can’t just unsee these tragedies.”
Donations for Reckling’s family can go to https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=Z9P56LNGFG2WG. One hundred percent of the donations go to support Reckling’s family.
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