Oakland County deputy fatally shot during ‘ambush’ on Detroit’s east side

An Oakland County Sheriff deputy was shot and killed while investigating a car theft in Madison Heights that ended with what Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard called an “ambush” on Detroit’s east side.

Deputy Brad Reckling — a nine-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office —was among three deputies on the auto theft unit who were searching for a vehicle that had been stolen from the Red Oaks Waterpark between 1 and 5:15 p.m. on Saturday.

Preliminary investigation into the shooting indicates the deputies were in pursuit of the stolen vehicle Saturday evening when, around 10:50 p.m., it came to a sudden stop before the suspects got out and open fired on Reckling’s unmarked police car — striking him multiple times in the head and torso, Bouchard said at a press conference on Sunday.

“It was an ambush — that obviously triggered a whole bunch of things,” Bouchard said. “Detroit police and [Michigan State Police] flooded the area very quickly, I’d like to thank and commend them for that.”

Police set up a perimeter around the scene and were able to apprehend three suspects in the immediate area. More information about the suspects are forthcoming from Detroit police, Bouchard said.

Reckling is survived by his wife and three children, ages 5, 4 and 1 — with one more child on the way, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

“He was a friend and trusted partner to countless other members of our agency,” a statement on the Sheriff’s X account read on Sunday. “If you would like to support Deputy Reckling’s family, we are accepting donations to our charity, Mission Oakland, and 100% of donations made will go directly to his family.”

Donations can be made via PayPal, or mailed to Mission Oakland, 1200 N. Telegraph Rd., Building 38E, Pontiac, MI, 48341, with “Deputy Reckling” on the memo and checks payable to Mission Oakland.