On Friday, an Illinois State Police detective was shot and killed by a violent career criminal, marking the first on-duty death in the sleepy village of Oak Park in 86 years.
Oak Park Police Detective Alan Reddins, 40, responded with other officers to a call about an armed man coming out of a bank where the suspect pulled out a gun and opened fire, ending in a fatal confrontation.
Reddins, who joined the department in 2019, was shot in the left side of his body and died. According to the Oak Park Police Department.
Jerrell Thomas, 37, was arrested Saturday and charged with first-degree murder and other related charges related to the line-of-duty killing. the police said.
Reddins became the first Oak Park employee to die in the line of duty since 1938.
“Our department is in a difficult situation right now,” Police Chief Shatonya Johnson said at a news conference Friday.
“It hurts. His family is hurting. Please keep us in your prayers.”
Redins and other officers first responded to the 1000 block of Lake Street around 9 a.m. and spotted the suspect leaving Chase Bank, police said.
The officers approached Thomas and ordered him to show his hands before firing, hitting Redins.x.
Police said the suspect was also shot in the leg when officers returned fire.
Reddins was taken to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, where he was pronounced dead at 10:10 a.m.
Police said the officer-murder suspect was taken to the same hospital for treatment and remains in custody. His condition is currently stable.
Police called Thomas a “repeat offender” with a lengthy arrest history that included aggravated assault on a police officer, domestic assault, assault and resisting an officer.
Dozens of Chicago-area police and firefighters held a police march along Interstate 290 Saturday afternoon as Reddins' body was taken from the hospital to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office.
As the body of the fallen officer was carried into an ambulance, public safety personnel stood at attention and saluted the ambulance. According to a moving photo posted by police.
“Thank you for your outpouring of condolences for Detective Alan Reddins and for your support of the Oak Park Police Department during this difficult time,” the department posted on Facebook.
“Plans for a public memorial are being considered and details will be shared as they become available.”
Thomas is also charged with attempted murder of a peace officer, possession of a stolen firearm, and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon.
Due to his hospitalization, a trial date has not been set.
