Hundreds gather at vigil for slain Oak Park Detective Allan Reddins
The notes of "Amazing Grace" on a violin played as hundreds of white candles flickered in the wind Friday evening in honor of Allan Reddins, an Oak Park police detective who was fatally shot last week.
Hundreds of Oak Park police officers and residents gathered outside Village Hall, 123 Madison St., to mark a week since Reddins' death.
"Det. Reddins made the ultimate sacrifice while serving and protecting alongside his brothers and sisters, and for that we will be forever indebted to him and his family," Oak Park Police Chief Shatonya Johnson said.
Reddins, who was working patrol Nov. 29 due to staff shortages, responded to a call of an armed person seen leaving a Chase Bank about 9:30 a.m. A police sergeant spotted the suspect, Jerell Thomas, walking down Lake Street alongside the library, 834 Lake St., which had been closed at the time of the shooting, authorities said.
Reddins, 40, and two other officers approached Thomas near the entrance of the library and after a short standoff, Thomas pulled out a gun and fired shots — striking Reddins on the left side.
He was taken to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, where he was pronounced dead.
Thomas was struck in the leg and was placed in custody. He is facing first-degree murder charges.
Reddins, from Chicago, was a five-year veteran of the Oak Park Police Department and became detective two years ago. He was also a former Metra police officer.
Mourners at the vigil carried candles and wrote their condolences on banners that will be displayed inside the police department ahead of the funeral next week.
Johnson said the police department has received an "outpour of love and support" from community members.
Oak Park resident Keisha Haggard said she felt "lucky" to have met Reddins and wanted to show her support to the other officers.
"He was nice, caring and to the point," said Haggard, 47. "He was a no-nonsense guy, but very respectful. He was always willing to go the extra mile."
Longtime resident Victoria Bruner, who lives a block away from where the shooting took place, said she was shocked and saddened by the incident.
Bruner, 80, had only had a brief encounter with Reddins but said her first impression was that he was a "nice man."
"This kind of gathering is so essential because it communalizes the grief, and I know that it brings tremendous solace to a family to know that their loved one is never going to be forgotten," said Bruner.
Visitation will be held from 1-8 p.m.Wednesday at Leak & Sons Funeral Home, 7838 S. Cottage Grove Ave., in Grand Crossing. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Apostolic Church of God, 6320 S. Dorchester Ave. in Woodlawn.
The Oak Park Lodge #8, of the Fraternal Order of Police, is accepting donations for the Reddins family. Donations can be sent via Zelle to oakparklodge8@gmail.com.