Three teenagers have been charged in connection with the murder of an Oakland County sheriff’s deputy.

In June 2024, Oakland County Deputy Bradley Reckling was working undercover trying to dismantle a serious auto theft ring when he spotted and followed a stolen car in Detroit.

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said 18-year-old Raymone Debose fired shots from that car, killing Reckling. Also inside that car were 18-year-old Marquise Goins and 18-year-old Karim Moore.

In Wednesday’s announcement, Oakland and Detroit county leaders acknowledge that the arrests won’t bring Reckling back, but they are a step toward closure.

Worthy said this auto theft ring he was working on was large, which is why this case is being charged as an ongoing criminal enterprise.

You can see the full press conference at the end of the article.

Details

Officer Bradley Reckling was working for the auto theft unit and following a stolen vehicle in Detroit on June 22 when the suspects opened fire. hitting him several times and killing him.

Reckling was among three auto theft unit officers searching for a stolen 2022 Chevrolet Equinox. The vehicle had been stolen sometime between 1 pm and 5:15 pm from Red Oaks Water Park in Oakland County on Saturday, June 22, 2024.

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said Reckling was in an unmarked car when he located and began following the stolen vehicle, meaning dash camera footage is not available. Preliminary investigation indicates that the vehicle stopped suddenly, the people inside the stolen vehicle got out and opened fire on Officer Reckling. He was hit several times, including in the head and torso.

“The car stopped suddenly. The individuals got out of that stolen vehicle and opened fire on our assistant. It was an ambush. Obviously, that triggered a lot of things. The deputy was hit in the head, chest and torso area. At 10:50 p.m. the officer’s call went out. Obviously the Detroit Police and the Michigan State Police flooded the area very quickly; I would like to thank you and congratulate you for this,” Bouchard said in a press conference on June 23, 2024.

The officer’s call was made at 10:50 p.m. Detroit Police and Michigan State Police responded to the scene and established a perimeter. Three people were arrested within that perimeter.

Charges

Debose was charged with the following:

• Murder of a police officer: maximum penalty of life in prison without parole or minimum sentence of 25 to 40 years and maximum of 60

• Receiving or concealing stolen property (motor vehicle): maximum penalty of five years

• Four counts of carrying a concealed weapon: a maximum sentence of five years

• Three counts of felony firearm: a maximum sentence of two years and must be served consecutively

• Vehicle theft: maximum penalty of life imprisonment

• Carrying out a criminal enterprise: maximum penalty of 20 years in prison

Goins was charged with the following:

• Accessory after the fact of a serious crime: a maximum sentence of five years

• Receiving or concealing stolen property (motor vehicle): maximum penalty of five years

• Four counts of carrying a concealed weapon: a maximum sentence of five years

• Three counts of felony firearm: a maximum sentence of two years and must be served consecutively

• Vehicle theft: maximum penalty of life imprisonment

• Carrying out a criminal enterprise: maximum penalty of 20 years in prison

Moore was charged with the following:

• Accessory after the fact of a serious crime: a maximum sentence of five years

• Receiving or concealing stolen property (motor vehicle): maximum penalty of five years

• Four counts of carrying a concealed weapon: a maximum sentence of five years

• Two counts of felony firearm: a maximum sentence of two years and must be served consecutively

• Vehicle theft: maximum penalty of life imprisonment

• Carrying out a criminal enterprise: maximum penalty of 20 years in prison

All three are scheduled to be arraigned Thursday morning in the 36th District Court.

Prosecutors, police chief and sheriff respond to charges

“When we started working on this case, we had no idea it would lead us to where it did. “Deputy Recking, who thought he was simply recovering a stolen car, actually found himself drawn into what turned out to be a violent and far-reaching criminal enterprise of car theft and hijacking.”

Prosecutor Kym Worthy

“On behalf of the Detroit Police Department, thank you to Prosecutor Worthy and his staff for their careful and professional handling of this complicated case.

Thank you to Detroit homicide detectives and Michigan State Police for their tireless pursuit of justice for Officer Reckling and his family. Our deepest condolences go out to the Reckling family and our law enforcement brothers and sisters at the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department. “We hope today’s announcement helps a little with your grieving and healing process.”

Detroit Police Chief James White

“Deputy Reckling’s murder was devastating to the entire community, particularly the law enforcement community, and especially his family. “Today is important because it is a first step towards justice.”

Karen McDonald, Oakland County Prosecutor

“Holding people accountable for the senseless murder of Representative Brad Reckling is one of our top priorities.

We appreciate all the work the Detroit Police Department and the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office have done to date and hope the perpetrators receive the highest possible punishment. While that will never fill the void of husband, father, son, brother and friend for many, it will at least provide a modicum of justice.”

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard

Remembering MP Bradley Reckling

According to Bouchard, Reckling has a pregnant wife, a 1-year-old child, a 4-year-old child and a 5-year-old child.

His family wanted the public to hear from the people who worked with Reckling and knew who he was and what he was like. Reckling had been working at the Rochester Hills substation and had recently moved to the auto theft unit.

During the June press conference, Bouchard read the following statements from Reckling’s colleagues:

Rochester Hills Substation Commander: “Detective Brad Reckling was one of the best deputies and detectives I have ever worked with. He was one of the hardest working police officers I knew. I and many others will miss him greatly. He personally touched many with his larger than life personality. Brad was on patrol in Rochester Hills before arriving at our detective office there and there was a bank robbery that some thought was unsolvable. Brad spent hours researching the vehicle and ended up finding it for sale on the Facebook marketplace and ended up blowing the case wide open. And that was just one example of Brad’s work ethic.”

Deputy Nicolás Bohun: “Brad was always there to help. He loved his family more than anything. “He was a great police officer, but an even better friend, father and husband.”

Representative Nathan Rogers: Brad and I grew up together in this apartment. From working in prison to studying for promotions, hanging in there and graduating from the academy together. Brad was one of the most selfless colleagues and one of the most dedicated husbands I have ever seen to Jackie and the best father to his daughters. There is no other way to describe him other than simply the best person.

Deputy Matthew Morrison: Brad was a wonderful husband, father and friend. He loved the outdoors. He was an incredible fisherman, loved to hunt, and enjoyed farming his farm and raising animals. Brad spent several months remodeling his house, giving his wife and three daughters the best place to call home. Anyone who has met Brad knows that it doesn’t take him long to start telling jokes and making you laugh. He was a hard worker and an incredible friend who would do anything for anyone. He was a great example of what a great father, husband and friend means, and he is loved by many and will be greatly missed.

Bouchard said anyone who wants to support Reckling’s family at this time can contribute to the Oakland Mission Charity. He said 100% of donations will go to the family without any charges or deductions. People wishing to donate must state that the money is for Deputy Reckling.