Three teens were charged in connection to the murder of an Oakland County Sheriff’s deputy.
In June 2024, Oakland County Deputy Bradley Reckling was working undercover trying to break up a serious car theft ring when he saw and followed a stolen car in Detroit.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said Raymone Debose, 18, fired a shot from that car, killing Reckling. Also inside that car were Marquise Goins, 18, and Karim Moore, 18.
In the announcement on Wednesday, Oakland County and Detroit leaders acknowledge the arrests won’t bring Reckling back, but it’s a step forward to closure.
Worthy said this auto theft ring he was working on was a big one, so much so this case is being charged as a continuing criminal enterprise.
You can watch the full press conference at the end of the article.
Details
Deputy Bradley Reckling was working for the auto theft unit and following a stolen vehicle in Detroit on June 22 when the suspects opened fire, striking him multiple times and killing him.
Reckling was among three deputies from the auto theft unit who were searching for a stolen 2022 Chevrolet Equinox. The vehicle had been stolen sometime between 1 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. from the Red Oaks Waterpark in Oakland County on Saturday, June 22, 2024.
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said Reckling was in an unmarked car when he located and began following the stolen vehicle, which means dashcam footage is not available. The preliminary investigation indicates that the vehicle suddenly stopped, the people inside the stolen vehicle got out and opened fire on Deputy Reckling. He was struck multiple times, including in the head and torso.
“The car suddenly stopped. Individuals exited that stolen vehicle and opened fire on our deputy. It was an ambush. That obviously triggered a whole bunch of things. The deputy was struck in the head, struck in the chest, the torso area. At 22:50 the officer down call went out. Obviously Detroit police and Michigan State Police flooded the area very quickly; I’d like to thank and commend them for that,” Bouchard said in a press conference on June 23, 2024.
The officer down call went out at 10:50 p.m. Detroit police and Michigan State Police rushed to the scene and set up a perimeter. Three people were arrested within that perimeter.
Charges
Debose was charged with the following:
- Murder of a police officer - a maximum penalty of life in prison without parole or a minimum sentence of 25 to 40 years and a maximum of 60
- Receiving or concealing of stolen property (motor vehicle) - a maximum penalty of five years
- Four counts of Carrying a Concealed Weapon - a maximum penalty of five years
- Three counts of felony firearm - a maximum penalty of two years, and must be served consecutively
- Carjacking - a maximum penalty of life in prison
- Conducting a criminal enterprise - a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison
Goins was charged with the following:
- Accessory after the fact to a felony - a maximum penalty of five years
- Receiving or concealing of stolen property (motor vehicle) - a maximum penalty of five years
- Four counts of Carrying a Concealed Weapon - a maximum penalty of five years
- Three counts of felony firearm - a maximum penalty of two years, and must be served consecutively
- Carjacking - a maximum penalty of life in prison
- Conducting a criminal enterprise - a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison
Moore was charged with the following:
- Accessory after the fact to a felony - a maximum penalty of five years
- Receiving or concealing of stolen property (motor vehicle) - a maximum penalty of five years
- Four counts of Carrying a Concealed Weapon - a maximum penalty of five years
- Two counts of felony firearm - a maximum penalty of two years, and must be served consecutively
- Carjacking - a maximum penalty of life in prison
- Conducting a criminal enterprise - a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison
All three are scheduled to be arraigned Thursday morning in the 36th District Court.
Prosecutors, police chief, sheriff respond to charges
“When we started working on this case, we had no idea that it would lead where it did. Deputy Recking, who thought he was simply recovering a stolen car, was really pulled into what turned out to be a violent and far reaching, car theft and carjacking criminal enterprise.”
Prosecutor Kym Worthy
“On behalf of the Detroit Police Department thank you Prosecutor Worthy and your staff for the careful and professional handling of this complicated case.
Thank you to Detroit Homicide Detectives, and Michigan State Police for your tireless pursuit of justice for Deputy Reckling and his family. Our deepest condolences remain with the Reckling family and our fellow law enforcement brothers and sisters of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department. It is our hope that today’s announcement helps a bit with your grief and healing process.”
Detroit Police Chief James White
“Deputy Reckling’s murder was devastating for the entire community, particularly the law enforcement community, and especially for his family. Today is important because it’s a first step towards justice.”
Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald
“Holding the individuals accountable in the senseless murder of Deputy Brad Reckling is one of our highest priorities.
We appreciate all the work that the Detroit Police Department and the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office has done to date and look forward to the perpetrators receiving the highest punishment possible. While that will never fill the void of husband, father, son, brother and friend to many, it will at least provide a sliver of justice.”
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard
Remembering deputy Bradley Reckling
According to Bouchard, Reckling has a pregnant wife, a 1-year-old child, 4-year-old child, and a 5-year-old child.
His family wanted the public to hear from people who worked with Reckling and knew who he was and what he was like. Reckling had been working at the Rochester Hills substation and had just recently moved over to the auto theft unit.
During the press conference in June, Bouchard read the following statements from Reckling’s colleagues:
Rochester Hills substation commander: “Detective Brad Reckling was one of the best deputies and detectives I’ve ever worked with. He was one of the hardest working cops I knew. He will be missed dearly by me and many others. He personally touched so many with his larger than life personality. Brad was on Rochester Hills patrol prior to him coming to our detective bureau there and there was a bank robbery that some thought was unsolvable. Brad spent hours researching the vehicle and ended up finding it on sale on Facebook marketplace and ended up breaking the case wide open. And that was just one example of Brad’s work ethic.”
Deputy Nicholas Bohun: “Brad was always there to lend a helping hand. He loved his family more than anything. He was a great cop, but even a better friend, and father, and husband.”
Deputy Nathan Rogers: Brad and I grew up in this department together. From working in the jail to studying for promotions to enduring and graduating from the academy together. Brad was one of the most selfless colleagues and one of the most dedicated husbands I’ve ever seen to Jackie and the best father to his girls. There’s no other way to describe him other than just the best person.
Deputy Matthew Morrison: Brad was a loving husband, father, and amazing friend. He loved the outdoors. He was an amazing fisherman, loved to hunt, and enjoyed growing his farm and raising animals. Brad spent several months remodeling his home, giving his wife and three girls the best place to call home. Anyone who knew Brad knows it doesn’t take long for him to start cracking jokes and get him laughing. He was a great worker and amazing friend who would do anything for anyone. He was a prime example of what great parent, husband, and friends means, and he is loved by many and will be truly missed.
Bouchard said anyone looking to support Reckling’s family at this time can contribute to the Mission Oakland charity. He said 100% of donations will go to the family without any fees or deductions. People who wish to donate should put in the memo that the money is for deputy Reckling.
