Oakland Co. Deputy Shot To Death In 'Ambush' While Following Stolen SUV In Detroit: Police

DETROIT — An officer of the Oakland County Sheriff's Office was fatally shot Saturday night while following a stolen car in Detroit, according to the Oakland County Sheriff's Office.

Bradley J. Reckling, 30, was working undercover Saturday night just before 11 p.m. when he began following a stolen 2022 Chevrolet Equinox in the area of Park Grove and Schoenherr on Detroit's northeast side, according to the sheriff's office.

Reckling was working with two other members, who were in separate cars and en route to the area where Reckling found the Equinox, according to the sheriff's office.

The SUV, which belonged to a Rochester Hills resident, was stolen sometime between 1 and 5:15 p.m. from the Red Oaks Waterpark in Oakland County earlier that day, according to the sheriff's office.

While Reckling was following the Equinox, the SUV suddenly stopped and the people inside the SUV got out and opened fire, striking Reckling multiple times, including in the head and torso, according to the sheriff's office.

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard called the shooting "an ambush."

Detroit police and Michigan State Police quickly responded to the scene and set up a perimeter in the area, according to the sheriff's office.

Police eventually arrested three people in connection with the shooting within that perimeter, according to the sheriff's office.

Reckling was taken to a nearby hospital where he later died, according to the sheriff's office.

He leaves behind a pregnant wife and three daughters, ages 5, 4, and 1, according to the sheriff's office.

"This agency is crushed," Bouchard said. "You can see it in their eyes how soul crushing this is."

Reckling was hired in April 2015 and was assigned to the Rochester Hills substation before he was recently transferred to the auto theft unit, according to the sheriff's office.

Reckling was honored multiple times by the sheriff’s office, including commendations for life-saving, meritorious service and professional excellence.

"Brad was always there to lend a helping hand," Officer Nicholas Bohon said. "He loved his family more than anything. He was a great cop but an even better father and husband."

Officer 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."

Officer Matthew Morrison said Reckling had spent the past few months remodeling his home to give his family 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."

Reckling’s death comes a week after a shooting injured nine people, including three children, at a splash pad in Rochester Hills. Three of the victims, two women and a child, remain hospitalized, according to the sheriff's office.

The shooting, along with the deadly shootings at Oxford High School shooting and Michigan State University, have taken an emotional toll on the mental health of members within the sheriff's office.

A crisis intervention team was flown in last week to counsel deputies, before leaving Saturday, hours before Reckling was fatally shot in Detroit, according to the sheriff's office.

"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 programming 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, Bouchard said.

Bouchard said he plans to ask County Executive Dave Coulterand 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 can go to https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=Z9P56LNGFG2WG. One hundred percent of the donations go to support Reckling’s family.