Man Charged With Murder in Shooting Death of Oak Park Detective

A Chicago man accused of shooting and killing an Oak Park police detective has been formally charged, Oak Park officials announced Saturday.

Jerrell Thomas, 37, of the North Lawndale neighborhood, faces charges of first-degree murder, attempted murder of a peace officer, possession of a stolen firearm and possession of a firearm by a felon, officials said. Thomas has prior arrests on charges including aggravated battery on a police officer, resisting a police officer and domestic battery.

The shooting happened Friday, November 29. Shortly after 9:35 a.m., the Oak Park Fire Department responded to the 800 block of Lake Street, where it found Det. Allan Reddins with a gunshot wound to his left side, according to Oak Park police.

Not long before, a man had been seen leaving a Chase Bank branch in the 1000 block of Lake Street carrying a gun. Reddins was responding to that report.

Reddins, 40, lived in Chicago and had spent five years with the Oak Park Police Department. He was taken to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood in critical condition and was pronounced dead there. Police said his death is the department's first in the line of duty since 1938.

Oak Park Police Chief Shatonya Johnson remembered the detective during a media briefing Friday afternoon. "He was just a natural leader, he'd always take the extra step," she said.

Thomas was shot in the leg during the incident. He is being treated at Loyola University Medical Center for what officials described as "non-life-threatening injuries." No bond hearing has been set.

The Chicago Police Department also responded to the news in a statement posted on X. It extended "heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and coworkers" of Reddins, who it said was shot and killed in the line of duty.