To get a sense of what Det. Allan Reddins meant to the village of Oak Park community, it’s essential to speak to someone like Ellis Fountain.
“He looked out for me … he was like a role model in my life,” Fountain said at a candlelight vigil Friday for Reddins, who was shot and killed Nov. 29.
His mother, Erin Fountain, elaborated.
“My son was attacked,” she said. “He was severely beaten and robbed, and he was missing for five days back in 2021. He was in the hospital for like two weeks.”
After Fountain, who is now in his 20s, returned from the hospital, an Oak Park police department commander who knew her son from Oak Park-River Forest High School introduced him to Reddins.
“She assigned Officer Reddins to be Ellis’s point person,” she said. “If anyone messed with him, if he needed anyone to talk to, if he needed to talk through what had happened to him, he was there.”
About two weeks before the shooting, Ellis Fountain ran into Reddins at a Walgreens.
“It was like walking in and meeting a friend,” said Erin Fountain, who works at Whittier Elementary School. “That’s the relationship they had.”
Reddins, 40, died after a shootout on the 800 block of Lake Street. He had responded to a call shortly after 9:30 a.m. that a man with a gun was seen leaving Chase Bank on Lake Street. The shooting was about two blocks east of the bank.
Jerell Thomas, 37, of Chicago, was charged with first-degree murder in Reddins’ death. He was also charged with attempted murder of a peace officer, possession of a stolen firearm, and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon.
Despite the frigid temperatures and an icy wind, several hundred villagers turned out for the candlelight vigil, which featured remarks from Oak Park police chaplain Adonna Reed, Oak Park village President Vicki Scaman and police Chief Shatonya Johnson.
“Tonight we are here because Detective Allan Reddins did indeed lay down his life for his friends,” Reed said in her opening statement, before violinist Windy Indie played Amazing Grace as, one by one, attendees lit their candles.
“Detective Reddins’ dedication to protecting our community, his courage and his unwavering commitment to justice will forever be remembered,” Scaman said. “Together we vow that this sacrifice will not be forgotten, and his legacy will continue to inspire us all as we work together to build a safer, stronger Oak Park.”
After the vigil had concluded, Scaman said she knew Reddins because she had sworn him in May 2019.
“What rings the most clear is that he was a family man and he was always willing to step up and volunteer, and follow things through in fairness and in peace,” she said.
In her remarks, Johnson said that her department was struggling mightily with the first murder of an Oak Park police officer since 1938.
“I can tell you, we will not be the same,” she said. “My prayer is that we’re going to be stronger, we’re going to work harder, and we’re going to be safer than ever.
“It is deeply personal to the men and women of our police department that Detective Reddins made the ultimate sacrifice while serving and protecting alongside his brothers and sisters. And for that, we will be forever indebted to him and his family.”
For Katie Fuentes, owner of the McDonald’s next door to Village Hall, Reddins’ death hit home. Her store donated cookies that were served along with coffee and hot cocoa at the vigil.
“My father-in-law is a detective, my current cousins are detectives and sergeants in the police force, so my heart goes out to the police force,” Fuentes said. “Very grateful for everything they do for the community.”
Oak Park Township trustee Eric Davis said he took time to speak to citizens and elected officials, and said that to a person, the emotion was devastation.
“Our officers are a big part of our community,” Davis said. “It’s a real loss.”
Reddins is survived by his 19-year-old son, his mother and siblings. A visitation will be held from 1 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11 at Leak & Sons Funeral Home, 7838 S. Cottage Grove Ave., Chicago. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 12 at Apostolic Church of God, 6320 S. Dorchester Ave., Chicago.
Oak Park resident Larry Davis said he will be there, just like he was Friday.
“He gave his life protecting our community and he didn’t even live here,” Davis said. “It happened about four blocks from where I live, and I go to that location often, and I figured he was an officer that lived elsewhere and came in to protect our community, so why shouldn’t I come out and show respect and support?”
