LANSING, Mich. — Sen. Michael Webber and Rep. Mark Tisdel jointly introduced legislation to honor Oakland County Sheriff’s Deputy Brad Reckling, who was killed in the line of duty.
“Our local law enforcement officers risk their lives every day to keep us safe, and we too often take that for granted,” said Webber, R-Rochester Hills. “This senseless crime took a husband from his wife and a father from his children. We owe the Reckling family an incredible debt that we will never be able to repay, but I sincerely hope this memorial serves as a reminder of what this man and his family gave up for our community’s safety.”
Reckling joined the sheriff’s department in 2015. He spent much of his career working in the Rochester Hills substation before being promoted to the Detective Bureau and transferring to the Auto Theft Unit.
Reckling was working undercover on June 22, 2024, investigating a stolen SUV from Red Oaks Waterpark. He followed the vehicle to northeast Detroit, when it suddenly stopped. The occupants then exited the car and shot and killed him. He is survived by his wife and four children.
The legislation would rename Auburn Road from Adams Road to Rochester Road in Rochester Hills as the Deputy Sheriff Brad Reckling Memorial Highway.
“I hope this legislation brings people together to honor Deputy Reckling and serves as a sobering reminder of the tremendous sacrifices law enforcement officers make to protect us,” said Tisdel, R-Rochester Hills. “Deputy Reckling put service over self, dedicating his professional life to helping improve Oakland County communities, despite the inherent dangerous risks involved with the job.
“This memorial will help ensure his life, service and sacrifice are never forgotten.”
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard commended Reckling’s service and echoed the importance of remembering the sacrifices made by our law enforcement officers.
“We tell the families of our fallen heroes that they will never be forgotten,” Bouchard said. “This is one tangible way to show that dedication. Deputy Reckling was an amazing father, husband, brother and son, as well as a great deputy. He will live in our hearts forever.”
The memorial highway will have no fiscal impact on the state or local government. Under state law, the Michigan Department of Transportation can place markers indicating the name of a memorial highway only when sufficient private contributions are received to completely cover the cost of erecting and maintaining the markers.
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