Deputy Reckling murder: Shooter sentenced to prison for fatal Detroit shooting

DETROIT (FOX 2) - The man who shot and killed Oakland County Sheriff's Deputy Bradley Reckling last summer learned his prison sentence Friday.

Raymone Debose pleaded guilty to murdering a peace officer and felony firearm for the crime. The judge accepted the sentencing agreement that was part of that plea: 33-60 years for the murder charge and 2 years for the felony firearm charge. The sentences will be served consecutively, with Debose receiving credit for 267 days.

He's one of three people charged in connection with the deputy's death. The other suspects, Marquis Goins and Karim Moore, have already been sentenced.

Raymone Debose

The backstory:

Reckling was part of the sheriff's office's stolen vehicle unit. They were called for a stolen vehicle investigation after a 2022 Chevrolet Equinox was stolen from Red Oaks Waterpark in Madison Heights during the day of June 22, 2024.

Around 10:50 p.m. that night, Reckling was behind the stolen Equinox in the area of Schoenherr and Park Grove streets on Detroit's east side when the vehicle suddenly stopped and the occupants got out. The suspects started shooting, hitting Reckling in the head and chest.

The suspects ran three blocks from the scene after shooting Reckling, said Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor Matthew Penney during Moore's arraignment. But using a dog track, the suspects were located on the porch of someone they did not know.

Moore was in the stolen vehicle, but told investigators he did not fire the shots, according to the assistant prosecutor.

He "admitted that he bailed out of the vehicle after shots were fired, and he knew that they shot at the police," Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor Matthew Penney previously said in court. "The defendant, during his interrogation, was repeatedly asked 'Why aren't you giving us more information here?' He indicated something about being concerned about his safety in the community once he got out of prison."

During a previous court hearing, a detective called to testify said that Moore told police that he didn't know who was driving or where anyone of his friends were seated in the stolen vehicle.

According to Detroit Police Sgt. Reginald Beasley, Moore said he was headed to another friend's home with two friends in a white SUV when the vehicle stopped and everyone got out. Moore told police that he ran after seeing police lights and hearing a gunshot. According to what he told police, he ran because he didn't want to get shot.

During Debose's sentencing, he said the shooting was an accident because he didn't plan to kill Reckling.

"If I knew that he was a cop, I would have just ran," he said in court.

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard wasn't buying it.

"I think it was hollow. I think he was told what he should say to get the plea," he said, afterward.

Cop-killer victim's family says system failed them

Jacqueline Reckling, Deputy Reckling's wife, spoke about the impact the loss of her husband has had on the family, including his eldest daughter, who turned six just a few days after the murder.

Victim impact statements:

Jacqueline Reckling, Deputy Reckling's wife, spoke about the impact the loss of her husband has had on the family, including his eldest daughter, who turned six just a few days after the murder.

"Brad was inherently good," she said during her victim impact statement. "We were a family of light, and Brad was our beacon."

She also discussed how the couple's son would never meet his father since Jacqueline was pregnant when Brad was killed, leaving three young children without a dad.

Deputy Reckling's mother also described the impact of the loss.

"There is no greater heartbreak than burying your child," Tammy Reckling said. "I wake up every day with an ache in my chest. Knowing I will never heard Brad’s voice again. I will never be able to hug him. I will never be able to hear him laugh. There’s a constant emptiness in my heart."

Sheriff Bouchard, Jacqueline Reckling and others believe Debose should have gotten a life sentence.

"It feels like a cruel insult," said Jacqueline Reckling. "The person who made the decision to destroy our family will not have to pay for the same length of time. The system has failed Brad during his career, last year and especially now."

Dig deeper:

Moore was sentenced to 5 to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to receiving and concealing a stolen vehicle, felony firearms, and conducting a criminal enterprise.

Goins received an 8 to 30 year prison sentence after pleading guilty to operating a criminal enterprise, carjacking, receiving and concealing a stolen vehicle, and felony firearms.

The Source: Previous FOX 2 reporting was used in this story.