Heartbreaking Loss: Officer Fatally Shot on Black Friday, Leaves Behind a Family!
OAK PARK, Ill. (WLS) – An Illinois police department is mourning the loss of one of its own after 40-year-old Oak Park Police Detective Allen Reddins was fatally shot in the line of duty. The shooting occurred while Reddins was responding to a call about a man leaving a bank with a gun on Black Friday.
Late Friday afternoon, an ambulance carrying Reddins’ body left the hospital for the nine-mile trip to the medical examiner’s office. It was a sad, ceremonial journey that deeply affected the Oak Park community. The officers who accompanied the procession have never experienced such an event in their department’s recent history.
Reddins, a five-year veteran of the Oak Park Police Department, is the first officer in the department’s history to die in the line of duty since 1938. He leaves behind a 19-year-old son and is being remembered as a devoted “family man” by those who knew him best.
Oak Park Police Chief Shatonya Johnson shared her grief, stating, “I’m hurting. This is the worst day of any chief of police.” Chief Johnson recalled how she knew Reddins, having conducted his background investigation when he joined the department. She described him as someone with a unique skill set that made him an invaluable part of the team.
The tragic incident occurred on Friday morning while Reddins was on patrol in Oak Park’s busy business district. Around 9:30 a.m., a call came in reporting a man leaving Chase Bank with a gun. Witnesses who were out running errands observed Reddins as he responded to the scene.
Doris Kelley, a witness, recalled seeing Reddins approach the man, who appeared to be holding a weapon. “He had the gun pointed at the ground. I’m going like, ‘I hope nothing happens.’ Then, I heard the shots going off,” she said.
Police say that when Redding and other officers asked the suspect, later identified as 37-year-old Jerell Thomas, to show his hands, Thomas pulled out a gun and began shooting. Reddins was struck on the left side of his body during the exchange of gunfire.
Other witnesses reported seeing Thomas, who was later treated for a gunshot wound to his leg, being arrested by police at the scene. “There’s tape up. Then, there’s a guy lying down, hurt. I think he’s the one who got shot in his leg, and they arrested him, took his guys and everything,” said witness Nicholas Gradishar.
Thomas is now facing serious charges, including first-degree murder, attempted murder of a peace officer, possession of a stolen firearm, and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon. As of now, no bond hearing has been scheduled, as he is still receiving medical treatment for his injuries.
The loss of Detective Reddins has left a deep impact on the Oak Park community and the police department. His colleagues and family continue to mourn the death of a dedicated officer who gave his life while serving and protecting his community.
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