Oak Park police detective killed in shooting while responding to armed suspect: officials

OAK PARK, Ill. - An Oak Park police officer was fatally shot in the line of duty Friday morning by a suspect leaving a Chase Bank, marking the first time an officer has been killed on the job in the area since 1938, authorities said.

The shooting happened around 9 a.m. in the 800 block of Lake Street in Oak Park. Officers initially responded to a call about a man with a gun leaving the bank.

Oak Park Police Detective Allan Reddins, 40, and several other officers confronted the suspect. When officers instructed the suspect to show his hands, he pulled a gun and shot Reddins in the left side, said Oak Park Police Chief Shatonya Johnson.

Reddins was transported to Loyola University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 10:10 a.m., Johnson said.

The suspect, who was shot in the leg, was taken into custody and is being treated at the hospital. His identity has not been released.

"Our police department, we're hurting right now," said Johnson during a press briefing Friday afternoon. "I'm hurting. His family is hurting. Please keep us in your prayers and I thank you all."

Reddins, a Chicago resident, was sworn into the Oak Park Police Department in May 2019. He became a detective in 2022 and closed several significant cases, according to Johnson. Prior to Oak Park Police Department, Reddins served with Metra Police Department. 

"My heart goes to those officers that he served with but more importantly, the work that he did here was so impactful. I personally knew Allan because I did his background investigation and I quickly identified that he had a talent that was needed here," said Johnson. 

Reddins is survived by his 19-year-old son, his mother, siblings, and many friends and colleagues.

Village President of Oak Park Vicki Scaman issued a statement on Reddins' passing, shared below: 

"I extend my deepest condolences to Detective Reddins’ family, friends and to Chief Shatonya Johnson, her command staff and entire Oak Park Police Department and wider law enforcement community for this tragic senseless act of gun violence. My thoughts and prayers are with you."

The Oak Park Police Department released a statement mourning Reddins’ death, describing the shooting as a "senseless act of violence."

"It is with great sadness that the Village of Oak Park announces that Oak Park Police Detective Allan Reddins was killed today, 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," Oak Park PD said.

Local police departments offer condolences

Multiple local police departments, including those in West Chicago, Chicago, Cook County, and others have expressed their condolences to the Oak Park Police Department and Reddins’ family. Their statements are shared below:

"WCPD extends our condolences to Oak Park PD as they mourn the loss of one of their own. This morning, Detective Allan Reddins was shot and killed while responding to a call. Our thoughts go out to the men and women of OPPD, as well as Detective Reddins’s family and friends.," said West Chicago Police Department.

"The #ChicagoPolice Department extends our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and coworkers of Oak Park Police Department Detective Allan Reddins who was shot and killed in the line of duty today," said Chicago Police Department. 

"We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Oak Park Police Detective Allan Reddins who was killed in the line of duty this morning. Detective Reddins’ actions displayed a selfless and unwavering commitment to serving and protecting his community. He embodied the highest ideals of law enforcement. His sacrifice will never be forgotten. On behalf of the 5000 members of the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his loved ones, colleagues, and the entire law enforcement community," said the Cook County Sheriff's Office.

"We extend our condolences to Oak Park Police Department who lost one of their own today. Our hearts are with the family, friends, and department of Detective Allan Reddins," said the McHenry County Sheriff's Office."

"Chief Schenita Stewart, the Evanston Police Department, and the City of Evanston are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic loss of Detective Allan Reddins of the Oak Park Police Department. Detective Reddins was killed in the line of duty earlier today. Detective Reddins dedicated his life to serving and protecting the Oak Park community with courage and unwavering commitment. His sacrifice is a solemn reminder of the risks faced by law enforcement officers every day when responding to emergency calls to ensure the safety of others.

The Evanston Police Department shares a bond with the Oak Park Police Department, both professionally and personally. This loss is felt deeply within our department and by those who counted Detective Reddins not only as a colleague but as a friend. On behalf of the men and women of the Evanston Police Department, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Detective Reddins’ family, friends, and colleagues. We stand in solidarity with the Oak Park Police Department and the entire Oak Park community as they navigate this difficult time.

Detective Reddins’ service and memory will not be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers are with all who are grieving this profound loss," said Evanston PD.

The Illinois State Police Public Integrity Task Force is investigating the shooting. We'll bring more updates on this as they become available.