Oakland County deputy killed in line of duty during stolen vehicle investigation [Video]

PONTIAC, Mich. (WXYZ) — An Oakland County deputy was shot and killed in the line of duty Saturday night, the sheriff’s office said.

Sheriff Michael Bouchard identified the fallen deputy as Bradley J. Reckling, who had been with the department for nine years. He was a husband and father of three young children — ages 5, 4 and 1 — with a fourth child on the way.

The sheriff’s office held a press conference Sunday afternoon to provide information about the incident.

The full press conference can be watched in the video player above.

Bouchard said a car was stolen between 1 a.m. and 5:15 a.m. on Saturday at Red Oaks Water Park in Madison Heights. The victim in the car theft is a Rochester Hills resident, Bouchard said.

The sheriff’s office’s auto theft unit started looking for the car, which is a 2022 Chevrolet Equinox.

Three detectives were searching …