Oak Park Police Detective Allan Reddins Killed in Line of Duty

Published on November 29, 2024

Dec. 19, 2024 - It is with great sadness that the Village of Oak Park announces that Oak Park Police Detective Allan Reddins was killed on Nov. 29, 2024, in the line of duty, while responding to a call involving an armed offender.

The Village of Oak Park extends its deepest condolences to Detective Reddins’ family, friends and colleagues within the Oak Park Police Department and the wider law enforcement community as they process the grief caused by this senseless act of violence.

Detective Reddins’ death marks the first Line of Duty death for the Oak Park Police Department since 1938.

At 9:36 a.m., the Oak Park Fire Department responded to a call for shots fired in the 800 block of Lake Street in Oak Park. Upon arrival, firefighter/paramedics learned that an Oak Park Police Officer, Reddins, had been shot in the right side. He was transported to Loyola University Medical Center in critical condition and succumbed to his injuries at approximately 10:10 a.m.

Police responded after being called because the offender had been seen leaving a local bank on the 1000 block of Lake Street with a gun. The offender was shot in the leg. He is in custody and is being treated at Loyola and is in stable condition. 

Detective Reddins was 40 years old and a Chicago resident. He was sworn into the Oak Park Police Department in May 2019.

On Nov. 30, 2024, a 37-year old Chicago man with an extensive criminal background has been charged in Reddins' death. 

Jerell Thomas, of the 4100 block of W. Cermak Rd. in Chicago, was charged by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office with first-degree murder in connection with the line-of-duty death. Thomas was also charged with attempted murder of a peace officer, possession of a stolen firearm and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon.

The investigation revealed that as Det. Reddins and other officers approached Thomas, he failed to comply with officers’ directives and began to shoot, striking Reddins on the right side of his body.

Thomas was injured in the leg in the incident and received treatment at Loyola, where he remains hospitalized with non-life-threatening wounds.

Thomas is considered a habitual criminal by investigators with a previous history of multiple arrests for aggravated battery to a police officer, domestic battery, battery and resisting a police officer.

Per standard Oak Park Police Department policy, the Illinois State Police Public Integrity Task Force was called in to assist with the investigation of the shooting. The State Task Force’s role is considered routine when an officer is involved in a shooting, according to Police.