Luke Bryan Sings “Drink A Beer” In Tribute To Fallen Michigan Sheriff’s Deputy
Michigan Sheriff’s Deputy Bradley J. Reckling Was Killed In The Line Of Duty
During his recent concert, Luke Bryan took a moment to honor and remember a fallen Michigan sheriff’s deputy.
According to The Associated Press, Bradley J. Reckling was on duty on the evening of Saturday, June 22. A 2022 Chevy Equinox had been reported stolen from the Red Oaks Waterpark in suburban Madison Heights earlier in the day.
Reckling and other detectives searched for the suspected stolen vehicle before locating it in Detroit. Reckling was following the vehicle when it stopped, then people exited and started shooting.
Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard says Reckling was killed after being shot in the head, chest, and torso. Officers later apprehended three individuals in connection to the shooting.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family, friends, and coworkers of Deputy Sheriff Bradley J. Reckling of @oaklandsheriff. He was shot and killed while conducting surveillance on a stolen vehicle. Deputy Sheriff Reckling had served with the department for 9 years. He is… pic.twitter.com/93RgMeiPP7
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) June 24, 2024
Reckling was 31 years old and a nine-year veteran of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department. He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline, and their children. They share three daughters (ages five, four, and one) and have another child on the way.
A GoFundMe has been established to help Reckling’s family with expenses. Steve Huber, the sheriff’s department’s public information officer, confirmed with The Oakland Press that the fundraiser is legitimate. You can visit the fundraiser’s home page here.
The Oakland Press reports that people can also make donations to Mission Oakland, a 501(c)(3) non-profit that supports law enforcement in Oakland County. Donations can be made via PayPal, or by check. Checks can be mailed to the following address:
Mission Oakland
1200 N. Telegraph Road, Building 38E, Pontiac, MI, 48341
Write “Deputy Reckling” on the memo and make checks payable to Mission Oakland.
Luke Bryan Honors Deputy Reckling With Tribute Performance In Clarkston, Michigan
Country singer Luke Bryan performed at the 99.5 WYCD Hoedown in Clarkston, Michigan, just days after Reckling was killed. Bryan dedicated his emotional song, “Drink a Beer,” to the fallen sheriff’s deputy.
“So I’m gonna sing this song out to…I heard that you guys lost an officer in the line of duty by the name of Brad Reckling,” Bryan said. “We’re gonna sing this out to him and his family.“
From there, Bryan moved into a touching performance of “Drink a Beer” while seated at his piano. 99.5 WYCD shared a video of his tribute on their official social media pages.
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