Oak Park cop killed by career criminal—first slain officer in Illinois town since 1938

Detective Allan Reddins, 40, was responding to a report of an armed individual leaving a bank. Around 9 am, Reddins and other officers arrived at the 1000 block of Lake Street, where they confronted a man leaving a Chase Bank. Officers ordered the suspect to show his hands, but the situation escalated when the armed man opened fire, striking Reddins on the left side, according to a report by the New York Post. Reddins was rushed to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, where he was pronounced dead at 10:10 am.

The suspect, identified as 37-year-old Jerell Thomas, was also injured during the exchange of gunfire, sustaining a leg wound. He was arrested on Saturday and faces charges including first-degree murder and additional offenses related to Reddins’ death. Thomas was taken to the same hospital and is currently in stable condition.

Reddins, who joined the Oak Park Police Department in 2019, was remembered as a dedicated officer. In a news conference on Friday, Police Chief Shatonya Johnson said “Our police department, we’re hurting right now.”

“I’m hurting. His family is hurting. Please keep us in your prayers,” Johnson said.

Law enforcement referred to Thomas as a “habitual criminal” who has an extensive criminal history that includes aggravated battery to an officer, domestic battery, battery, and resisting arrest.

In the wake of the tragedy, first responders in the Chicago area honored Reddins with a police procession along Interstate 290 on Saturday, as his body was transported to the medical examiner’s office.

“Thank you for the outpouring of condolences for Detective Allan Reddins and support for the Oak Park Police Department during this difficult time,” the department said in a Facebook post. “Plans for a public memorial are being discussed and will be shared when details become available.”