CHICAGO (CBS) — A funeral for the fallen will take place next week Oak Park Police Detective Allan Reddinsa week after he was shot dead in the line of duty.
Reddins, who had been with the Oak Park Police Department since 2019, was killed Friday. and a Chicago man has been charged with murder. The shooting was the first death for an Oak Park police officer since 1938.
Reddins was responding to a call of a person with a gun leaving Chase Bank on Lake Street Friday morning when he was shot, with a bullet hitting the left side of his body. Reddins’ fellow officers returned fire, shooting the suspect in the leg.
Village officials said a vigil for Reddins will be held in the courtyard outside Village Hall (123 Madison St.) on Friday at 5:30 p.m., the week of his death.
Visitation for Reddins will be held on Wednesday, December 11 at Leak & Sons Funeral Home in Chicago from 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM. A wake will be held on Thursday, December 12 at 10:30 am, followed by a wake at 11:00 am. funeral service at the Apostolic Church of God in Chicago. He will then be buried privately.
City of Oak Park
Murder charges filed against Jerell Thomas
Police announced that 37-year-old Jerell Thomas was charged with first-degree murder in Reddins’ death. He is also charged with attempted murder of a peace officer, possession of a stolen firearm and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon.
Police said Thomas has an extensive criminal background, with multiple arrests for aggravated battery on a police officer, domestic battery, battery and resisting a police officer.
Memorials to the fallen detective are growing
Oak Park residents continue to honor Detective Reddins with memorials.
A candlelight vigil will be held on Friday, December 6, in the courtyard of Village Hall, located at 123 Madison St. This vigil will take place one week after Reddin’s death. The commemoration will start around 5:30 PM
Last week, flags flew at half-staff through Oak Park in memory of Reddins. Neighbors tied blue ribbons around the trees in their front yards and urged others on social media to do the same.
One memorial started next to the scene of the shooting and more than doubled in size over the weekend.
“He loved our community so much that he became a police officer here and gave his life for all of us,” said Jennifer Okonma of Oak Park.
Purple and black bunting was also draped over the Oak Park police station.
