A tragic incident unfolded in Oak Park, Illinois, as police officer Detective Allan Reddins lost his life while responding to a call involving an armed offender leaving a bank. The 40-year-old officer's death marks the first Line of Duty fatality for the Oak Park Police Department since 1938.
Chief Shatonya Johnson expressed deep sorrow during a news conference, stating, 'Our police department, we're hurting right now. I'm hurting. His family is hurting.'
Reddins, a dedicated officer who joined the department in 2019, was part of the team that confronted the suspect outside a Chase Bank location. Tragically, the suspect drew a gun and fired at Reddins when asked to show his hands.
Emergency responders rushed Reddins to Loyola University Medical Center after the shooting, but he succumbed to his injuries despite their efforts. The offender, who was shot in the leg during the incident, is now in custody and receiving treatment at Loyola.
Chief Johnson remembered Reddins as a devoted father and a natural-born leader who had made significant contributions as a detective, closing substantial cases. She had high hopes for his future within the department, envisioning him as a potential field training officer and sergeant.
The Village of Oak Park extended its deepest condolences to Detective Reddins' family, friends, colleagues, and the broader law enforcement community as they grapple with the senseless violence that claimed his life.
