Murdered Deputy Bradley Reckling Leaves Behind Young Family, Sheriff Seeks Support

Murdered Deputy Bradley Reckling Leaves Behind Young Family, Sheriff Seeks 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 Saturday evening when he was shot while following a car stolen in Detroit. Bradley J. Reckling, 30, was working undercover when he was fatally shot by a gunman shortly before 11 p.m. Saturday in northeast 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's 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 on their way when the stolen car stopped and at least one of the three suspects in the car got out and started shooting.

“It was an ambush,” Bouchard said.

Reckling was hit several times. He died in hospital shortly afterwards. Police in the area were quickly notified that Reckling had been shot and Detroit police and Michigan State Police flooded the area and quickly established a perimeter.

Three suspects have been arrested and are in custody.

Reckling was hired in April 2015. He has received numerous honors from the Sheriff's Office, including commendations for saving lives, for meritorious service and for professional excellence. Bouchard said Reckling was loved and admired by his colleagues. He had been assigned to the Rochester Hills substation, but had recently been transferred to the auto theft unit.

Reckling's death leaves an unfillable and devastating void for the sheriff's office.

“You can see in their eyes how heartbreaking it is,” Bouchard said.

The sheriff shared three testimonies written by three of Reckling's colleagues.

“Brad was always there to lend a 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 together in the agency, first working in corrections, studying for promotion and graduating from the police academy together. “Brad was one of the most selfless colleagues, the most devoted husband and the best father to his daughters,” Rogers said. “There’s no other way to describe it than just being the best person.”

MP Matthew Morrison said Reckling had spent the last few months renovating his home to give his pregnant wife and three daughters, aged 5, 4 and 1, the best place to live. “Brad was a wonderful husband, father and friend,” Morrison said. “He loved the outdoors. He was an amazing fisherman, he loved hunting deer, he loved expanding his farm and raising animals… Anyone who knows Brad knows that it wasn't long before he started making jokes and making him laugh . He was a great worker and a wonderful friend who would do anything for anyone. Brad was a great example of what it means to be a good parent, husband and friend. 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 that injured nine people, including three children. Three of the victims, two women and a child, remain hospitalized. The sheriff said this incident, coupled with the tragic shootings at Oxford High School and Michigan State University that Oakland County deputies responded to, has taken an emotional toll on the mental health of the staff.

A crisis intervention team was flown in last week to advise MPs. The team left on Saturday. “It’s been a challenge,” Bouchard said. “He’s like a boxer. How many hits can you take and still stand.

Bouchard renewed calls for increased funding to support the sheriff's office's mental health programs, which now has a full-time position for peer support for an agency with nearly 1,500 employees.

In addition to major incidents that required a significant response from the Sheriff's Office, daily 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 additional position.

“They see these things every day,” Bouchard said. “You can’t ignore these tragedies.”

Donations for Reckling's family can go to One hundred percent of donations are intended to support Reckling's family.

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