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Incident
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.
Survivors
He is survived by his expectant wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Reckling gave the Oakland County Sheriff's Office 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Pontiac community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Reckling.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Oakland County Sheriff's Office has lost 7 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Bradley is one of 415 officers killed feloniously in MI, 59% of the 703 remembered there.
Bradley is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Bradley is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2024, 1 officer at Oakland County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 5 years on record. The heaviest was 1932, with 2.
In 2024, 3 officers in MI were killed feloniously, the 41st heaviest of 124 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 14.
In 2024, 68 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 105th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2024, 68 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 114th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Bradley was 30. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Oakland County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 43.3 and 48.5; the middle age was 47. Bradley had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 9.5 years.
Bradley was 30. Of the 400 killed feloniously in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 42; the middle age was 35. Bradley had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Bradley was 30. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Bradley had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Bradley was 30. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Bradley had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 16.7% of these deaths at Oakland County Sheriff's Office; November holds the most, 50%. Saturdays: 16.7%.
June holds 7.2% of these deaths in MI; December holds the most, 12.3%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 85.7% of all 7 deaths at Oakland County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 59% of all 703 deaths in MI, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 5.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Oakland County Sheriff's Office has 7 officers remembered here, Bradley among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 38-WT
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Oakland County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
