Three teens charged in the murder of an Oakland County officer

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

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

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said Raymone Debose, 18, fired a shot from that car, killing Reckling. Also in that car were Marquise Goins, 18, and Karim Moore, 18.

In Wednesday’s announcement, leaders of Oakland County and Detroit acknowledged that the arrests will not bring Reckling back, but it is a step forward toward closure.

Worthy said the carjacking he worked on was major, so much so that the case is being charged as an ongoing criminal enterprise.

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

Details

Deputy Bradley Reckling was working for the auto theft unit and was tracking a stolen vehicle in Detroit on June 22 when the suspects opened fire. struck him several times and killed him.

Reckling was one of three Auto Theft Unit officers searching for a stolen 2022 Chevrolet Equinox. The vehicle was stolen from Red Oaks Waterpark in Oakland County sometime between 1:00 PM and 5:15 PM on Saturday, June 22, 2024.

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said Reckling was in an unmarked car when he located the stolen vehicle and began following it, meaning no dashcam footage is available. Preliminary investigation shows that the vehicle suddenly stopped. The people in the stolen vehicle got out and opened fire on Deputy Reckling. He was hit several times, including in the head and torso.

“The car suddenly stopped. Individuals exited that stolen vehicle and opened fire on our deputy. It was an ambush. That obviously brought about a lot of things. The deputy was struck in the head, chest and torso. The officer’s call went out at 10:50 p.m. Obviously, the Detroit Police Department and Michigan State Police flooded the area very quickly; I would like to thank and praise them for this,” Bouchard said during a press conference on June 23, 2024.

The officer’s call went out at 10:50 p.m. Detroit police and Michigan State Police rushed to the scene and set up a perimeter. Three people were arrested within that perimeter.

Costs

Debose was accused of the following:

Murder of a police officer – a maximum sentence of life without parole or a minimum sentence of 25 to 40 years and a maximum of 60 years
Receiving or concealing stolen property (motor vehicle) – maximum penalty of five years
Four charges of carrying a concealed weapon: a maximum sentence of five years
Three firearms offense charges: a maximum sentence of two years, to be served consecutively
Carjacking – a maximum penalty of life in prison
Carrying out a criminal enterprise: a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment

Goins was charged with the following:

Accessory after the fact to a crime: a maximum sentence of five years
Receiving or concealing stolen property (motor vehicle) – maximum penalty of five years
Four charges of carrying a concealed weapon: a maximum sentence of five years
Three firearms offense charges: a maximum sentence of two years, to be served consecutively
Carjacking – a maximum penalty of life in prison
Carrying out a criminal enterprise: a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment

Moore was charged with the following:

Accessory after the fact to a crime: a maximum sentence of five years
Receiving or concealing stolen property (motor vehicle) – maximum penalty of five years
Four charges of carrying a concealed weapon: a maximum sentence of five years
Two firearms offense charges: a maximum sentence of two years, and must be served consecutively
Carjacking – a maximum penalty of life in prison
Carrying out a criminal enterprise: a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment

All three are scheduled to be arraigned Thursday morning in 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 where it did. Deputy Recking, who thought he was simply recovering a stolen car, was actually drawn into what turned out to be a violent and far-reaching criminal enterprise of auto theft and carjacking.”

Prosecutor Kym Worthy

“On behalf of the Detroit Police Department, I thank Prosecutor Worthy and your staff for the careful and professional handling of this complex case.

Thank you to Detroit Homicide Detectives and the Michigan State Police for your tireless pursuit of justice for Deputy Reckling and his family. Our deepest condolences go out to the Reckling family and our fellow law enforcement brothers and sisters at the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department. We hope that today’s announcement will provide some assistance in your grieving and healing process.”

Detroit Police Chief James White

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

Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald

“Holding the individuals accountable for the senseless murder of Deputy Brad Reckling is one of our highest priorities.

We appreciate all the work that the Detroit Police Department and the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office have done to date and look forward to ensuring that the perpetrators receive the maximum possible sentence. While that will never fill the void of husband, father, son, brother and friend for many, it will at least bring some measure of justice.”

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard

In memory of Deputy Bradley Reckling

According to Bouchard, Reckling has a pregnant wife, a one-year-old child, a four-year-old child and a five-year-old child.

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

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

Rochester Hills Substation Commander: “Detective Brad Reckling was one of the best officers and detectives I have ever worked with. He was one of the hardest working officers I knew. He will be greatly missed by me and many others. He personally touched many with his larger-than-life personality. Brad was on patrol in Rochester Hills before he came to our detective agency and there was a bank robbery that some thought was unsolvable. Brad spent hours researching the vehicle and eventually found it for sale on the Facebook marketplace, ultimately opening the case wide open. And that was just one example of Brad’s work ethic.”

Deputy Nicholas Bohun: “Brad was always ready to lend a helping hand. He loved his family more than anything. He was a great officer, but even a better friend, father and husband.”

Deputy Nathan Rogers: Brad and I grew up together in this department. From working in prison to studying for a promotion to persevering and graduating from the academy together. Brad was one of the most selfless colleagues and one of the most devoted husbands I have ever seen to Jackie, and the best father to his girls. There is no other way to describe him other than just the best person.

Deputy Matthew Morrison: Brad was a loving husband, father and wonderful friend. He loved the outdoors. He was a great fisherman, loved to hunt and enjoyed growing his farm and raising animals. Brad spent several months remodeling his home, giving his wife and three girls the best place to call home. Anyone who knew Brad knows that it doesn’t take long for him to start cracking jokes and making him laugh. He was a great worker and a great friend who would do anything for anyone. He was a great example of what a great parent, husband and friends mean, and he is loved and truly missed by many.

Bouchard said anyone who would like to support Reckling’s family at this time can contribute to the Mission Oakland Charity. He said 100% of donations will go to the family without any fees or deductions. People wishing to donate should indicate in the memo that the money is for Deputy Reckling.