Undeterred by the bitter cold and wind that made streetlamps creak and sway, Oak Park Det. Allan Reddins’ family, friends, colleagues and supporters gathered at the Leak & Sons Funeral Home to offer their regards during a visitation for him Wednesday.
Roughly 200 people, some of them in groups, walked from the South Side funeral hall to its funeral home decorated for Christmas across the street — so many that the groups sometimes bottlenecked at the door. A parking lot nearby filled up quickly with cars, including trucks from several local TV stations ready to broadcast events of the evening. Around it all, blue ribbons adorned the fencing and bare trees.
Reddins died on duty after he was shot Nov. 29. His death sent shockwaves not only through the Oak Park community, where an officer had not been killed in the line of duty since 1938, but across the state, as well.
On Tuesday, Illinois flags were to be lowered to half-staff through sunset on Dec. 12 in honor of Reddins, according to NBC Chicago.
Chicago man Jerell Thomas has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with Reddins’ death.
On Wednesday, a section of South Cottage Grove Avenue was partially closed for the visitation, with men and women bundled in neon yellow jackets with bright orange lights directing traffic. Orange traffic cones and police cars lined the streets.
In solidarity
Police officers from local areas, including Oak Park, Chicago, Palatine, Rosemont, Elgin, Woodridge, Sycamore and Elmwood were all present. The Cook County Sheriff’s Police and members of the Oak Park Fire Department also attended, along with members from police departments across the United States.
Large groups of them congregated in the funeral home, convening over food and conversation. A food truck was parked outside with piping hot coffee brewing.
A line of police officers waits to enter the wake of Oak Park Det. Allan Reddins at the Leak and Sons Funeral Home at 7838 S. Cottage Grove Ave. on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. Officers from surrounding departments including Elgin, Chicago and Woodridge were present at the visitation for Reddins who died on duty on Nov. 29. Credit: Sam Tucker 
A police officer pours a cup of coffee at a food truck provided by the Brotherhood for the Fallen, a non-profit that provides support for the communities of fallen officers, across the street from the Leak and Sons Funeral Home at 7838 S. Cottage Grove Ave. on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. Credit: Sam Tucker 
A police officer holds the front door open to Leak and Sons Funeral Home at 7838 S. Cottage Grove Ave. on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. Det. Allan Reddins, served in the Oak Park Police Department since 2019, and served as a detective since 2022. Credit: Sam Tucker 
A group of police wait to enter the wake of Det. Allan Reddins at the Leak and Sons Funeral Home at 7838 S. Cottage Grove Ave. on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. The last time an officer of the Oak Park Police Department died in the line of duty, before Reddins, was in 1938. Credit: Sam Tucker 
A truck of the Brotherhood for the Fallen, a non-profit that provides support for the communities of fallen officers, sits parked across the street from Leak and Sons Funeral Home at 7838 S. Cottage Grove Ave. on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. On Thursday, Dec. 12, a funeral procession will leave from Oak Park Village Hall at 9 a.m., and will arrive at the Apostolic Church of God at 6320 S. Dorchester Ave. for a funeral service at 11 a.m.. Credit: Sam Tucker
At 6 p.m., those groups of first responders, beginning with the Oak Park Police Department, walked unified in a line from the hall to the funeral home across the street. The Oak Park Fire Department walked in next, sporting an American flag patch on their right shoulders, with other groups shadowing them, including members of the Chicago Police Department.
As they walked, an unrelated police siren called out down the street.
In remembrance
Reddins was described as “courageous, determined and charismatic” and a “hero” in a publicly available obituary.
He was born May 29, 1984, in Chicago and attended St. Ailbe Elementary and Harlan High School, where he graduated in 2002, according to the obituary. After that, he pursued his desire to become a law enforcement officer and studied criminal justice at Triton College.
At 19, Reddins met the mother of his child, Stacey. He became a father at 21 to a son. He worked in the agricultural industry, but still dreamed of becoming a police officer. So, he completed his degree at Loyola University and became a police officer first at the Metra Police Department.
Reddins came to the OPPD in 2019 and “exceeded expectations quickly,” his obituary said. He was promoted to detective in 2022 and handled “numerous significant cases with diligence and dedication.”
Reddins’ son, Jayden, became an EKG technician at 17. He is expected to graduate from Morehouse College in 2027.
James Butler became close friends with Reddins in seventh grade. Reddins was also close with twins Schenita Stewart and Schonella Stewart, according to the obituary. Each is scheduled to speak during his funeral service Thursday.
In addition to Stacey and Jayden, Reddins is survived by his mother, Bettina, his sister, Nehruba, and others including brothers, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Members of the OPPD will all “miss him dearly,” according to the obituary.
“Allan Reddins will be remembered as a strong, kind, loving father, brother, nephew, uncle and friend,” the obituary reads. “His indomitable spirit and dedication to his community will be cherished by all who knew him.”
Support for Reddins
Oak Parkers also publicly remembered the detective during a candlelight vigil Dec. 6. Oak Park Village President Vicki Scaman and Oak Park Police Chief Shatonya Johnson spoke at the vigil.
The last time an Oak Park police officer died in the line of duty was in 1938, when Chauncey Esch was struck and killed by a train while escorting a 16-year-old purse snatcher to the police station.
The wake was scheduled from 1 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home at 7838 S. Cottage Grove Ave., Chicago.
A funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. Dec. 12 at Apostolic Church of God at 6320 S. Dorchester Ave. in Chicago. Before the funeral, a procession of the Oak Park Police Department will leave at 9 a.m. from Village Hall at 123 Madison St. to travel to the church. Wednesday Journal will livestream the procession on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/wednesdayjournalinc. Join us at 9 a.m.