‘It’s tough coming to these funerals': Visitation held for fallen Oak Park Detective Allan Reddins

OAK PARK, Ill. - Detective Allan Reddins is Oak Park's first police officer killed in the line of duty in more than 80 years.

Police officers from around the state entered Leak and Sons Funeral home on Wednesday to honor the public servant.

"It's a tough job. It's tough coming to these funerals because it's a lot," said Luis Tagle of the River Forest Police Department.

According to his obituary, Reddins "always had a desire to go into law enforcement" and "exceeded expectations quickly with the Oak Park Police Department."

The 40-year-old was shot and killed the day after Thanksgiving when he responded to a report of a man with a gun at a Chase Bank in Oak Park.

Reddins was a graduate of Harlan H.S. and Loyola University. He first worked with Metra police, then joined the Oak Park Police Department in 2019.

He leaves behind a mother and college-aged son. Loved ones described him as courageous, determined, and charismatic.

Jerell Thomas, 37, is charged with Reddins' murder.