Roll of Honor
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
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-A074E302- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 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
Deputy Sheriff Bradley J. Reckling is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In MI, 426 of 718 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.3% of this state's fallen. That is 5.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Oakland County Sheriff's Office, 6 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 85.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Bradley J. Reckling's cause is highlighted.
How Bradley J. Reckling Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 33-60 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Bradley J. Reckling is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Bradley J. Reckling was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Oakland County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
